About First Ame Church
First Ame Church is a African Methodist Episcopal church located at 530 37TH STREET, Oakland, CA, 94609. You can reach First Ame Church at +15106551527.
First African Methodist Episcopal Church (Oakland, California)
First African Methodist Episcopal Church (FAME) of Oakland, California is the oldest Black church in the city, founded in 1858 and part of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. The church building experienced a major fire in 2023, and the building was demolished in 2025 with services continuing at other locations. It was formerly known as Shiloh AME Church, and as Fifteenth Street Church.
Where is First Ame Church located?
First Ame Church is located at 530 37TH STREET, Oakland, CA, 94609. The building sits at coordinates 37.82592, -122.26645, placing it in Oakland, CA 94609.
Location is approximate — drawn from the public street address.
- Public parking 125 ft
- Private parking 377 ft
- Public parking 407 ft
- Public parking 413 ft
- free parking 433 ft
- Kang Tong · korean 377 ft
- Big Daddy's Chinese Restaurant · chinese 381 ft
- Seoul Gom Tang · korean, soup 453 ft
- Wise Sons · coffee_shop 853 ft
Nearby places drawn from OpenStreetMap, Jun 9, 2026.
What to expect at a service at First Ame Church
Methodists worship with a blend of structured liturgy and heartfelt singing — a Wesleyan inheritance.
- Service length is about an hour. Expect hymn singing, readings, prayers, a sermon, and often Holy Communion.
- Communion is an "open table" — anyone seeking Christ is welcome to receive.
- Dress is casual to business-casual.
Generalized notes for first-time visitors. Individual churches vary — when in doubt, ask a greeter at the door.
Your Sunday at First Ame Church
Questions and answers about First Ame Church
- What denomination is First Ame Church?
- This church is part of the African Methodist Episcopal tradition.
- Where is First Ame Church located?
- First Ame Church is located at 530 37TH STREET, Oakland, CA, 94609.
Photographs of First Ame Church
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Photographs via Wikimedia Commons. Click through for author and licence.
Visitor notes about First Ame Church
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