The Little Rock AME Zion Church was originally located in Third Ward. In 1919, the building was moved to Myers Street in First Ward. It took several days, and it was necessary to hold a funeral in the sanctuary during the move.
Groundbreaking for the new First Baptist Church site. Left to right: Walter Taylor Sr., Irma Bland, Mildred Aldridge, Mary Kendrick, Bessie Franks, and Donald Kendrick.
Workmen weld one pair of tuned bells into place at First Baptist Church - West's new sanctuary on Oaklawn Ave.
"Rock of Ages:" Charlotte's Black Churches Weather Adversity and Retain Strength
by Kathleen McLain
Adapted from the Charlotte Observer, February 8, 1987
The first black church in Charlotte was a wooded grove where the Duke Power building stands in downtown today. As early as 1840, slaves who could slip away gathered under the branches to sing and pray.
The following text is taken from an article in the Charlotte Observer: “Rock of ages: Charlotte`s black churches weather adversity, retain strength,” by Kathleen McLain. (Charlotte Observer, February 8, 1987, p.1A)
Freedom Creates New Churches
The first black church in Charlotte was a wooded grove where the Duke Power building stands in downtown today. As early as 1840, slaves who could slip away gathered under the branches to sing and pray.
The division of Charlotte into four wards was a natural progression. The crossroads Trade and Tryon Streets had long existed as trading paths. The young city grew up around them and naturally divided into the four wards that became Charlotte's first neighborhoods, each with its own personality.
Click on map to see more detail.
South Brevard Street (east side only)
(4th Street intersects)
205 - Presson Tire Co.
215 - Aurelia Williams, formerly Home of Dr. J. T. Williams
217 - Home of Andrew B. Kerns
223 - Grace AME Zion Church