First African Methodist Episcopal Church

What travelers say:

Located within the historic West Adams District, FAME is the oldest African American congregation in Los Angeles. It was organized in 1872 at the Spring Street home of former slave Bridget "Biddy" Mason - the first African American woman to independently own land in Los Angeles. Its 1903 building burned down in 1972.Near the church's current site is the home of Hattie McDaniel, the first African American to win an Academy Award (Best Supporting Actress in Gone With the Wind - 1939). Across the street from the parking lot side of the church are more impressive buildings, including the Frederick Hastings Rindge House (the last owner of the area now known as Malibu) at 2263 S. Harvard. Just down the street from the church are several houses owned and regularly used by the studios for filming period pieces.