Our colored population deserve praise for the zeal manifested by them in the maintaining of religious organizations, not less than any other class of citizens. the African M. E. Church, over which Rev. J. M. Wilkerson, no acceptably presides, has a membership of 823; maintains a Sabbath School with 116 scholars and 10 teachers; worships in a comfortable brick church erected by themselves at a cost of about $8,000, which has a seating capacity for 400 persons. Their morning gatherings average something less than 200. This church was organized in 1863 and has accomplished a great work among the colored people. Mr. W. F. Owens is the Sabbath School superintendent

Source: R. I. Holcombe. History of Marion County, Missouri: Written and Compiled from the Most Authentic Official and Private Sources : Including a History of Its Townships, Towns, and Villages, Together with a Condensed History of Missouri, the City of St. Louis, a Reliable and Detailed History of Marion County, Its Pioneer Record, War History, Resources, Biographical Sketches and Portraits of Prominent Citizens : General and Local Statistics of Great Value, and a Large Amount of Legal and Miscellaneous Matter, Incidents and Reminiscences, Grave, Tragic and Humorous. St. Louis : E. F. Perkins, 1884.