| Repository: | Western Reserve Historical Society |
| Creator: | Greater Avery African Methodist Episcopal Church |
| Title: | Greater Avery African Methodist Episcopal Church Records |
| Dates: | 1929-2008 |
| Extent: | 1.00 linear feet (1 container) |
| Abstract: | Greater Avery African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded by Reverend James J. Price on April 21, 1918 in Cleveland, Ohio. As the membership of the church grew, Reverend Price lead the church to purchase property at 2363 East 28th Street in 1920. In 1953, Greater Avery purchased the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Bethlehem Church on Wade Park Avenue. The collection consists of bulletins, calendars of events, correspondence, financial records, historical sketches, ledgers, newspaper clippings, programs, and scrapbooks. |
| MS Number | MS 5234 |
| Location: | closed stacks |
| Language: | The records are in English |
Greater Avery African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded by Reverend James J. Price on April 21, 1918 in Cleveland, Ohio. The original name of the church was Marion Mission, but it was changed to Avery Chapel later that year at the African Methodist Episcopal Church Annual Conference. Reverend Price named the church after one his mother had attended in Memphis, Tennessee, named after abolitionist Charles Avery.
As the membership of the church grew, Reverend Price lead the church to purchase property at 2363 East 28th Street in 1920. Following this purchase, Price retired in 1921. The church was not built right away, however, and the congregation gathered in a local community center for about four years. In 1924, Reverend Thomas W. Chryer became pastor of Greater Avery. Chryer was also a carpenter and contractor, and helped to push the congregation to finish the new church building on East 28th Street.
When the city of Cleveland began its urban renewal program, it became necessary for the church to seek another location. In 1953, Greater Avery purchased the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Bethlehem Church on Wade Park Avenue. It was after moving into this building that the church received its current name, Greater Avery African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The church continued to flourish at this location, and, in 1961, the church held a mortgage burning ceremony. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the church property expanded and improved. New land surrounding the building was acquired, and a complete remodel of the church was done.
Greater Avery celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2008 and is still a thriving Cleveland parish as of this writing.
The Greater Avery African Methodist Episcopal Church Records, 1929-2008 and undated, consist of bulletins, calendars of events, correspondence, financial records, historical sketches, ledgers, newspaper clippings, programs, and scrapbooks.
This collection is of value to those studying the history of Greater Avery African Methodist Episcopal Church in Cleveland, Ohio. Those researching the African Methodist Episcopal Church in general may find the collection of use, particularly the programs from regional conferences. Researchers interested in the history of African American churches in Cleveland may find the collection valuable, though the collection does not delve very deeply into uniquely African American issues. Those studying philanthropy and mission work will find the extensive collection of papers regarding the church's women's mission, the Janie Lomax Missionary Society, of particular note. The extensive collection of funeral programs may be helpful to genealogists or those studying the funeral and mourning process.
None.
Related MaterialThe researcher should also consult PG 599 Greater Avery African Methodist Episcopal Church Records.
Separated MaterialAll photographs have been removed to PG 599 Greater Avery African Methodist Episcopal Church Photographs.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 5234 Greater Avery African Methodist Episcopal Church Records, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio
Gift of Darlene Thomas Murray, in honor of her mother Mary Rehder Thomas, in 2011.
Processing of this collection was made possible by a gift from Gina Hamister. Processed by Jessica Marra in 2014.
Series I: Church Records 1929-2008 undated |
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| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | Agendas, church meetings 1993 2000 | |||||||||
| 1 | 2 | Bulletins 1964 1947-1979 1990 | |||||||||
| 1 | 3 | Calendars of events, Janie Lomax Missionary Society 1994-1997 | |||||||||
| 1 | 4 | Certificates of election 1971 | |||||||||
| 1 | 5 | Correspondence, church business 1980 1995-2003 | |||||||||
| 1 | 6 | Correspondence, personal, Reverend William Hodge 1985-1986 | |||||||||
| 1 | 7 | Death certificate, James J. Price, church founder 1950 | |||||||||
| 1 | 8 | Deed and land appraisal 1953 1959 | |||||||||
| 1 | 9 | Financial reports, Janie Lomax Missionary Society 1992-1996 | |||||||||
| 1 | 10 | Financial statement 1986-1987 | |||||||||
| 1 | 11 | Flyers, Janie Lomax Missionary Society 1988-1989 1998 | |||||||||
| 1 | 12 | Historical sketches 1988 undated | |||||||||
| 1 | 13 | Ledgers 1949-1950 undated | |||||||||
| 1 | 14 | Minutes, Janie Lomax Missionary Society 1987-1995 | |||||||||
| 1 | 15 | Newsletter, "The Messenger" 1947 1949 | |||||||||
| 1 | 16 | Newspaper clippings 1950 1969-1970 1995 2000-2001 undated | |||||||||
| 1 | 17 | Programs, church events 1944 1964-1968 1976 2008 undated | |||||||||
| 1 | 18 | Programs, church services 1929 1953 1956 1977-1978 1990 1993 | |||||||||
| 1 | 19 | Programs, funerals 1959-2008 undated | |||||||||
| 1 | 20 | Programs, Northern Ohio Annual Conference of African Methodist Episcopal Churches 1964 1971 | |||||||||
| 1 | 21 | Reports, Women's Missionary Society 1951 1995-1996 | |||||||||
| 1 | 22 | Resolutions, Janie Lomax Missionary Society 1988-1993 | |||||||||
| 1 | 23 | Rosters, Janie Lomax Missionary Society 1987-2004 undated | |||||||||
| 1 | 24 | Scrapbook 1959-2001 | |||||||||
| 1 | 25 | Scrapbook 2002-2005 | |||||||||
Series II: Audio-Visual Materials 1998 2003 |
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| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 1 | 26 | 80th Anniversary Banquet and Program, 8mm video cassette tape 1998 | |||||||||
| 1 | 27 | 80th Anniversary Kick-Off, 8mm video cassette tape 1998 | |||||||||
| 1 | 28 | 100 Women in Red, 8mm video cassette tape 1998 | |||||||||
| 1 | 29 | African American Archives, 8mm video cassette tape 1998 | |||||||||
| 1 | 30 | Children's Day, 8mm video cassette tape 1998 | |||||||||
| 1 | 31 | Children's Day, video cassette 1998 | |||||||||
| 1 | 32 | Church History, video cassette 2003 | |||||||||
| 1 | 33 | Daughters of Avery, 8mm video cassette tape 1998 | |||||||||
| 1 | 34 | Father's Day, 8mm video cassette tape 1998 | |||||||||
| 1 | 35 | History - Individuals, 8mm video cassette tape 1998 | |||||||||
| 1 | 36 | Men's Day, 8mm video cassette tape 1998 | |||||||||
| 1 | 37 | Mother's Day, 8mm video cassette tape 1998 | |||||||||
| 1 | 38 | Pink Tea, 8mm video cassette tape 1998 | |||||||||
| 1 | 39-40 | Sunday Worship, 8mm video cassette tapes 1998 | |||||||||
| 1 | 41 | Usher's Anniversary, 8mm video cassette tape 1998 | |||||||||
| 1 | 42 | Women's Day, 8mm video cassette tape 1998 | |||||||||
| 1 | 43 | Youth Program, video cassette 2003 | |||||||||