Collins Chapel C.M.E. Church

The Collins Chapel congregation is the oldest African American church in continuous existence, formed in 1841. An outgrowth of the Wesley Chapel Methodist Church, the Wesley African Mission began meeting in the basement of the first Methodist Church and moved to its current location in 1859. The Collins Chapel was one of the four churches burned during the race riots in 1866. The present structure was built in 1913, and its stained-glass windows hold the stories of the church’s history. The church has been remodeled multiple times over the years but still retains many of its original features, including the antique chandelier, hammer beams, original bricks, and a balcony.