Black Churches Collection

Item set

Title

Description

The Black church as an institution is one of the oldest organizations in the United States. The churches, as a whole, harbor more history than any other Black institution in America. Church was the only place Blacks could meet freely and eventually speak openly about their condition in America. Given the safe, open meeting place, and the organizational environment the Black church provided, it was only natural that groups and organizations seeking equality would grow out of it, as well as leaders of the Black community. It is no mistake that the Black church is the backbone of the Black community. This collection contains histories of local churches in Tallahassee. The pieces included in the collection are programs, slideshow information, and newspaper clippings.

Physical Location

Black Churches Collection, John G. Riley House Archives, Tallahassee Community College Library, Tallahassee, Florida.

Items

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Black History in Florida, St. James C.M.E. Church

A document outlining the history of St. James C.M.E. Church in relation to African American Heritage and History in Florida. St. James is one of the oldest African American congregations in Florida, and was officially recognized in 1870. John G. Riley is quoted in the document, as he was a member and trustee of the church, as well as served as church historian. He later wrote a history of the church in 1947 at the age of 90.
Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church Program

A program for the November 9 & 10, 1996 service held at Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church at Dawkins Pond, celebrating 130 years of ministry. It contains the church's history, a list of pastors and their years of service, an order of service, and a note from Elder Terrance A. Ford.
St. James C.M.E. Church Notecard

A notecard with notes on St. James C.M.E. Church and its location. It includes notable historical moments, such as the 1st session of the Florida Conference of C.M.E. Church in America being held there. Moreover, that John G. Riley was a member and trustee of the church, and is said to have learned how to read and write there.
St. James A.M.E. Church Dedication Service of New Parsonage

The St. James A.M.E. Church Dedication Service of New Parsonage Program from Sunday, July 22, 1990. It includes a historical sketch of the church, highlighting their most notable pastors, accomplishments, and the history of the church building.
St. James A.M.E. Church Souvenir Program

The St. James A.M.E. Church Souvenir Program from 1974-1975. It includes a historical sketch of the church, pictures of its building and architect, and some additional notes written.
Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church History

A copy of a historic record for the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Tallahassee (Fla.) printed on January 16, 1997. This document includes a history of the church, founded on 1850, and goes into detail about the founder, Rev. James Page, who was enslaved prior to the Civil War.
History of St. Phillip A.M.E. Church

A document outlining the history of St. Phillip A.M.E. Church in Tallahassee (Fla.), most likely from a church booklet. It gives an extensive summary of the history of the church and the land it resides on, as well as a list of ministers who served, officers for 1997-1998, stewards, trustees, class leaders, and ushers. It also includes several pictures of the congregation at the end.
Notes and articles on Rev. Charles Pearce

Various notes and articles on Rev. Charles H. Pearce, a religious and political leader and founder of the A.M.E. church in Florida. These include "'Bishop' Pearce and the Reconstruction of Leon County" by Dorothy Dodd, "History of the A.M.E. Church in Florida" compiled by Rev. Charles Sumner Long, and "Carpet-bag Rule in Florida" by John Wallace.
St. Michael's and All Angels' Church Records

A copy of church records of the St. Michael's and All Angels' Church in Tallahassee (Fla.) These were printed from WPA Church Records Florida Collection from the State Library of Florida on September 17, 1999
History of the Black Baptists of Florida, 1850-1985

Pages 102-103 and 110-111 of the "History of the Black Baptists of Florida, 1850-1985" by George Patterson McKinney and Richard I. McKinney. These go into detail about Nathan W. Collier, the Support by the Baptist General State Convention, the Founding of the West Florida Baptist Academy, and the Breakdown of Relations with the White Baptist Convention.