Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church
Austin, Travis County, Texas
Marker Inscription
This congregation began meeting for informal worship services during the early 1870s at the home of Temple Washington. By 1873, the thirteen original members were meeting in their own sanctuary on San Antonio Street. The Rev. Frank Green served as first pastor. While plans were being drawn for a new church building, the original structure burned in 1883. Worship services were temporarily held in Smith's Opera House on W. Sixth Street. By 1884, members of Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church were worshiping in a new building. In 1913, the church moved to a site formerly occupied by the St. John German Evangelical Congregation, and ten years later relocated to this address. The Metropolitan A.M.E. Church has been served throughout its history by many able pastors. The Rev. Abraham Grant, who came to Austin in 1881, led the congregation until 1888, when he became a bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Dr. William Laws served here during the first years of the twentieth century and was later president of Paul Quinn College. An established part of Austin's Black community for over 100 years, Metropolitan A.M.E. Church continues to uphold the ideals upon which it was founded. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
This congregation grew from informal worship in the early 1870s at the home of Temple Washington, and by 1873 its thirteen original members had a sanctuary on San Antonio Street with the Rev. Frank Green as first pastor. Fire, rebuilding, and several moves brought the church to its present address by 1923. Among its early leaders were the Rev. Abraham Grant, who became an AME bishop, and Dr. William Laws, later president of Paul Quinn College.
Why it matters
For over a century Metropolitan AME has been a cornerstone of Austin's Black community, part of the AME church's central role in African American faith, education, and leadership after emancipation.
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Related people
- · Rev. Frank Green
- · Rev. Abraham Grant
- · Dr. William Laws
Themes & tags
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