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Methodism had finally experienced “The Great Schism” at the 1844 General Conference. By its vote on the Plan of Separation, it authorized Annual Conferences in slave holding states to separate from The Methodist Episcopal Church. The Plan of Separation was adopted, and the groundwork was laid for the creation of The Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
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Union Memorial is one of the four oldest black churches in Saint Louis. At the time of its formation in 1846, Rev. James Farrar, a local preacher, was the first pastor. The congregation worshipped on Broadway between Morgan Street (now Delmar) and Franklin Avenue, known as “Essex Alley”, in the home of a slave.
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Important Role in the Development of Methodism in Missouri.
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Known as " Lower Walsh" Dedicated as Wesley chapel in 1884
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Rev. W.H.H. Brown was sent to Wesley Chapel in 1890. Methodism in Missouri and the name of W.H.H. Brown are synonymous. He served the church in almost every capacity with the greatest of credit, reflecting honor upon the church and himself.
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In 1899, Wesley Chapel and Elliott Avenue Churches consolidated, and Wesley Chapel was sold. Thereafter, both congregations worshipped at the Elliot Avenue Church, naming the merged churches "Centennial". The first pastor of Centennial was Rev. J. Will Jackson, D.D.
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The church really began to grow. During the World’s Fair in St. Louis in 1904, the capacity of the building was not adequate to accommodate the membership. So, larger, more convenient, and more comfortable quarters were sought.
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Union Memorial purchased Temple Israel, a Jewish Temple, on the corner of Leffingwell Avenue and Pine Street. Its members, led by Rev. Gillum, entered the Temple Israel edifice on July 28, 1907. This structure, regarded as the most expensive, finest, and imposing edifice of any “Colored Congregation” in the world, remained standing until 1963.
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Gratiot Street was established in autumn of 1907. 1907 - First Methodist Episcopal Church in Kinloch Park. (Now North Park UMC due to merger) 1908 - Webster Groves Church (Now Unity UMC due to merger) 1914 - Cobs Chapel M.E. Church 1915 - Asbury Methodist Church
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Through the years, white Bishops presided over the Black Conference. In 1920, the first Black Bishop was elected, Matthew W. Clair, Sr. He served until his retirement in 1936. His first visit to Union was heralded with great pomp. He was given a large reception with hundreds of people in attendance.
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In 1959, he became the first member of the African-American race to be elected to the St. Louis Board of Education, and later served that organization as both vice-president and president.
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The Union Memorial United Methodist Church edifice is said to be the second largest “thin shell parabolic structure” of its kind in the United States.
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Methodist Episopal Church and United Brethren Church
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Under Dr. Mims’ leadership, Union Memorial witnessed new, revitalized and expanded ministries. As the largest African-American church in the Missouri East Conference, Union Memorial’s membership then stood at 1100. Union Memorial ranked fourth in size in the St. Louis Urban district of the United Methodist Church and first in size among United Methodist churches in the City of St. Louis.
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In early 1998 Union Memorial started a mission station to serve persons on the south side of St. Louis (Union-Shaw Out Post Ministry) at Shaw United Methodist Church.
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