The Saint Andrews African Methodist Episcopal Church is an African Methodist Episcopal Church in Sacramento, California, founded in 1850. It was the first African American church in California[2] and the first AME Church on the West Coast of the United States.[3] It was originally located at 715 Seventh Street, which is marked by a historical plaque.[1] This church is still active, and is presently located at 2131 Eighth Street in Sacramento. It is listed as a California Historical Landmark (number 1013) since May 5, 1994.[1] It was formerly known as the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church and the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The congregation was founded in 1850 and a year later it was admitted into the African Methodist Episcopal Church, becoming the first on the West Coast.[1] It was initially known as the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church and when it became part of the AME the name was changed to Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church.[1][4] During 1850, California became an official state; and the California Gold Rush had recently started two years earlier.[2] Many African Americans were working in the gold mining areas near Sacramento,[2] some in search of their own wealth, and freedom as gold miners, and others working under Southern gold miners.
Daniel Blue (1796–1884), had founded the church.[2][3][5] Blue was formerly enslaved in Kentucky, and had made his fortunes in gold mining in California; and Blue had held his first church service in his own basement.[5][3][6] Some of the earliest congregation included Mary Robinson Thames, and Ethel Guinn.[2] The first pastor was Barney Fletcher, however he wasn't officially ordained.[2] Other early pastors included Rev. James Fitzgerald from 1851 to 1852; Rev. A. Giles from 1852 to 1854; Rev. George Fletcher from 1853 to 1854; and Rev. Darius Stokes from 1854 to 1856.[2] Thomas Marcus Decatur Ward had worked as briefly as the first Sunday School teacher and as a pastor.[2] In 1854, Elizabeth Thorn Scott Flood had started an early African American school at her home with the help of this church.
The Saint Andrews African Methodist Episcopal Church had served as a community meeting place. In November 1855, the church was the site of the first California State Convention of Colored Citizens, and the following conventions in 1856, and 1865.[2][7][4]