Andrews African Methodist Episcopal Church of Sacramento was founded in 1850, three months before California was admitted as the 31st state to the Union. It holds the distinction of being the first African Methodist Episcopal Church and the first African American religious congregation established on the Pacific Coast.
1850: Our history reflects that, a small band of believers gathered for the ea
rliest known religious services at the home of Daniel Blue on I Street, between 4th and 5th Street. Church history chronicles that on June 10, 1850, approximately 63 years after the founding of the A.M.E. church in Philadelphia, local preacher, Barney Fletcher organized the church which would later become known as St. Andrews., Daniel Blue later became one of the first officers of the church. That year also marked the dedication of the new Education Building and the celebration of the 144th Church Anniversary. Through stewardship and leadership, St. Andrews continues to be a beacon reaching out to an ethnically and politically diverse Sacramento community.
1850 - 1900: The members petitioned the Indiana Conference for admission into the African Methodist Episcopal Church. By special vote of its members, it became known as Bethel A.M.E. Church and was later changed to St. Andrews A.M.E. Reverend John Fitzgerald was the first pastor. The first statewide convention of the California Colored Citizens convened in November 1855 at St. Andrews. Andrews also hosted the convention in 1856 and 1865. Each of the three conventions was called to develop strategies to bring about changes in legislation that adversely affected Black Californians.
1900 - 1951: In 1925, the church celebrated its Diamond Jubilee. Among those serving as trustees at that time were Julia Brown and Laura C. O'Reilly, the first woman ever elected to a local A.M.E. church trustee board in the California Conference. In 1951, under the leadership of Reverend L. Sylvester Odom, the present structure was built and dedicated at the corner of 8th and V Streets. The current cornerstone reflects the names of Trustees B.T. Scott and George Rose, who are currently active members of the church.
1995 Tri-Celebration: The original church property on 7th Street is now owned by the County of Sacramento, and a public parking structure occupies the site. In 1995, St. Andrews was recognized as a California Registered Historical Landmark for being the oldest African American Church on the Pacific Coast. Andrews continues to be a beacon reaching out to an ethnically and politically diverse Sacramento community. The Reverend Jason D. Thompson, PhD, was appointed as the 42nd Pastor of the St. Andrews Church in October 2022.
