Historically Black Churches That Closed Their Doors

Spiritual spaces that ended their services in recent years.

Remember It’s Not About You - Do what you do because you want to, not because you expect thanks. So don’t be upset if she doesn’t call in response to your voicemail message, or mention you in her remarks at the homegoing service.(Photo: Tetra Images/Getty Images)

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Black Churches Closing Their Doors - Throughout history, the Black church has provided a space where African-Americans have found refuge after slavery, during the civil rights era and during present day adversity. Though many remain strongholds in the communities they serve, some have ended their services and/or relocated. Take a look at several churches that have closed their doors in recent years.  —Natelege Whaley (@Natelege_)   (Photo: Tetra Images/Getty Images)

Friendship Baptist Church, Atlanta - The church where Morehouse College held classes in its early years and where Spelman College was founded, held its last service in May 2014. The 152-year-old church sold its facility for $19.5 million as the city prepares to build a new Atlanta Falcons stadium. The church will soon rebuild and until then, services will be held at Morehouse College's campus. (Photo: Friendship Baptist Church fia Facebook)

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Friendship Baptist Church, Atlanta - The church where Morehouse College held classes in its early years and where Spelman College was founded, held its last service in May 2014. The 152-year-old church sold its facility for $19.5 million as the city prepares to build a new Atlanta Falcons stadium. The church will soon rebuild and until then, services will be held at Morehouse College's campus. (Photo: Friendship Baptist Church fia Facebook)

Queen of Angels Parish, New Jersey - Newark's first African-American Catholic church, Queen of Angels Parish, is set to be demolished before the end of July 2014. Martin Luther King Jr. held meetings there for the Poor People's Campaign. The church also helped organized a march for racial harmony when he was killed. Queen of Angels originally started out in another building in 1930. After it was destroyed in 1958, they relocated to a new building and took over a space at a church once known as St. Peter's.  (Photo: NJchurchscape.com)

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Queen of Angels Parish, New Jersey - Newark's first African-American Catholic church, Queen of Angels Parish, is set to be demolished before the end of July 2014. Martin Luther King Jr. held meetings there for the Poor People's Campaign. The church also helped organized a march for racial harmony when he was killed. Queen of Angels originally started out in another building in 1930. After it was destroyed in 1958, they relocated to a new building and took over a space at a church once known as St. Peter's.  (Photo: NJchurchscape.com)

Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, Harlem - The Saint Thomas the Apostle Church in Harlem, New York, closed its doors in 2003 after the congregation's numbers dwindled. The 107-year-old building is being turned into a community arts center; the lot and school will become a housing complex. Originally the church was attended by Irish immigrants and then African-Americans. The church was attended by the family of Harry Belafonte, and NBA star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was baptized at the church. (Photo: Michael Nagle/ Bloomberg News/getty Images)

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Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, Harlem - The Saint Thomas the Apostle Church in Harlem, New York, closed its doors in 2003 after the congregation's numbers dwindled. The 107-year-old building is being turned into a community arts center; the lot and school will become a housing complex. Originally the church was attended by Irish immigrants and then African-Americans. The church was attended by the family of Harry Belafonte, and NBA star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was baptized at the church. (Photo: Michael Nagle/ Bloomberg News/getty Images)

The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, Chicago - In 1995, 70 percent of the congregation at Church of Epiphany in the West Side of Chicago was African-American. An elementary school for low-income African-American boys from low-income families launched there in 1962. Black Panther Party leader Fred Hampton's memorial service was held here. The church, which was established in 1868 and moved to its last location at 201 S. Ashland Ave., closed its doors November 2011. (Photo: Andrew Jameson via Wikicommons)

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The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, Chicago - In 1995, 70 percent of the congregation at Church of Epiphany in the West Side of Chicago was African-American. An elementary school for low-income African-American boys from low-income families launched there in 1962. Black Panther Party leader Fred Hampton's memorial service was held here. The church, which was established in 1868 and moved to its last location at 201 S. Ashland Ave., closed its doors November 2011. (Photo: Andrew Jameson via Wikicommons)

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Orchard Street United Methodist Church, Baltimore - Trueman Pratt, a freed Black who had been born into slavery, established the Orchard Street United Methodist Church in Baltimore in 1837. Later organizers leased the grounds of what was known as "Orchard Chapel." In 1882, the building as it stands today was built. The Colored Maryland Literary Union and other African-American organizations hosted conferences at the church through the years. In 1872, the congregation relocated. The Baltimore Urban League established its offices there in 1992.  (Photo: courtesy baltimoreheritage.org)

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Orchard Street United Methodist Church, Baltimore - Trueman Pratt, a freed Black who had been born into slavery, established the Orchard Street United Methodist Church in Baltimore in 1837. Later organizers leased the grounds of what was known as "Orchard Chapel." In 1882, the building as it stands today was built. The Colored Maryland Literary Union and other African-American organizations hosted conferences at the church through the years. In 1872, the congregation relocated. The Baltimore Urban League established its offices there in 1992.  (Photo: courtesy baltimoreheritage.org)

St. Adalbert, Cleveland - Unlike other churches on this list, St. Adalbert parish had a second chance at life after it was closed down by Bishop Richard Lennon in 2009 due to a shortage of priests and resources. In 2012, it reopened. The congregation was originally established in 1922 as the only Black Catholic parish. In 1961, the church moved to St. Adalbert and painted the faces of Jesus, Mary and Joseph black.  (Photo: Courtesy The Cleveland Restoration Society)

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St. Adalbert, Cleveland - Unlike other churches on this list, St. Adalbert parish had a second chance at life after it was closed down by Bishop Richard Lennon in 2009 due to a shortage of priests and resources. In 2012, it reopened. The congregation was originally established in 1922 as the only Black Catholic parish. In 1961, the church moved to St. Adalbert and painted the faces of Jesus, Mary and Joseph black.  (Photo: Courtesy The Cleveland Restoration Society)