Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Dear Oakland Unified Community,
I write today to send our sympathy and support to the First African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church and its community, which suffered a devastating fire on Sunday evening, gutting the historic facility. I know that many of our families are members of the congregation.
The history of First AME Church is remarkable. It was founded in 1858, before the Civil War, and Pastor Rodney Smith says it is “the oldest Black church in the East Bay.” It was founded by Black residents and went several years without a permanent building. Then the founders were able to purchase what was the old Carpentier School House (the first school house in Oakland) and turn it into their church. For several decades before Black people were allowed to be educated in public schools in Oakland, the church educated Black students. The church moved to its present location on Telegraph Avenue near West MacArthur almost 70 years ago.
More recently, along with serving the spiritual needs of many Oakland residents, First AME has been providing meals to hundreds of people on a daily basis. The church helps a lot of people, and I know the entire church community is going through a lot right now.
The good news is that church leaders have made it clear that they will rebuild, and their mission of helping the people of Oakland will continue long into the future. From Oakland Unified, I want to send our deepest sympathies for the loss, and pledge our support in the days and years to come.
In community,
Dr. Kyla Johnson-Trammell
Superintendent
Sent to Zennie62Media for posting.