Anniston in Calhoun County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Saint John United Methodist Church

— Anniston Civil Rights Trail —

Photographed by Mark Hilton, January 26, 2020

1. Saint John United Methodist Church Marker

Inscription. Saint John, founded at the turn of the 19th century, is the first African-American Methodist Episcopal Church in South Anniston. The original structure was built in 1922. The current building was erected in 1951 on the corner of D Street and Christine Ave. Saint John was the site of mass meetings during the Civil Rights Movement. The Ku Klux Klan, who violently opposed civil rights progress in Anniston and other Southern Cities, fired shots into the Church on Mother's Day, May 12, 1963.
In 1967, Saint John merged with West Florida and the North Alabama United Methodist Conference and became known as Saint John United Methodist Church.
The Church is a testament to the community's faith, strength, and commitment to equality.

The Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage added Saint John U.M.C. on December 1, 2016

Erected 2017 by City of Anniston Historic Trails Program. (Marker Number 10.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Anniston Civil Rights Trail, Alabama

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series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 12, 1963.

Location. 33° 38.628′ N, 85° 49.381′ W. Marker is in Anniston, Alabama, in Calhoun County. It is at the intersection of East D Street and South Christine Avenue, on the left when traveling east on East D Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 329 East D St, Anniston AL 36207, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Alabama. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Southern Railway Station Attack (approx. 0.6 miles away); Trailways Attack (approx. 0.9 miles away); Anniston Memorial Hospital (approx. 0.9 miles away); Trailways Bus Station Attack (approx. 0.9 miles away); Calhoun County World War I Memorial

Saint John United Methodist Church and Marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, January 26, 2020

2. Saint John United Methodist Church and Marker.

(approx. 0.9 miles away); Grace Episcopal Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); 906 Noble Street (approx. 0.9 miles away); 910 Noble Street (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Anniston.

Cornerstone from original church built in 1922. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, January 26, 2020

3. Cornerstone from original church built in 1922.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 599 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 26, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.