Pillars of the Black Community
First Baptist Church
Organized by former slaves in June 1867, First Baptist Church is Charlotte's frist African American Baptist church. The sanctuary, located at 1020 South Church Street, was dedicated in September, 1911, and demolished in 1977.
Mt. Moriah Primitive Baptist Church
Mt. Moriah Primitive Baptist Church was erected in 1891 . The original structure was originally located on the corner of Alexander and 11th streets. It was later rebuilt in the early 20th-century and now stands at the corner of West Trade and Ceder St. in downtown Charlotte.
Little Rock AME Zion Church
Little Rock AME Church was first established in 1884 by a group of discontented former members, Led by Thomas Henry Lomax of old Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church. The original structure was erected in the back yard of a Mrs. Mary Ann Hunter. It is said that the name "Little Rock" comes from the fisrt church literally sitting on top of a rock in her back yard. This picture depict the church as it is being moved to Seventh Street in 1906. It is said that the moving process was so slow that normal services and even a funeral emmorial had to be conducted in the middle of the street while they transitioned.