Shrine of the Black Madonna of the Pan African Orthodox Christian Church
Shrine of the Black Madonna of the Pan African Orthodox Christian Church
| DATE | EVENT |
|---|---|
| 1953 | Rev. Albert B. Cleage,Jr. and approximately 300 members left St.Marks Presbyterian Church and formed St.Mark Congregational Church. |
| 1954 | St.Mark's Congregational Church changed its name to Central Congregational Church. The first piece of property, a sixteen-room mansion on Chicago Boulevard was purchased. It was used as a parsonage and housed all the church's activities. |
| 1957 | Central Congregational Church purchased the Brewster-Pilgrim Congregational Church building on Linwood at Hogarth, which is the location of historic:Shrine#1 - The Mother Shrine. |
| 1958 | Evolution of Central Congregational Church's theology and philosophy; the concept of "group" was implemented; the mission of the church was defined in a socio-cultural context; development of youth was defined as an integral part of the new Black church's mission. |
| 1962 | Rev.Cleage and the Central Congregational Church launched its fight against the Detroit SCHOOL System. The Illustrated News, a bi-weekly newspaper devoted to publishing the issues confronting the Black Community, began publication. The Freedom Now Party, the first all Black political party was organized. |
| 1963 | Rev. Cleage, one of the original organizers, spoke at the famous FREEDOM MARCH at Cobo Hall in detroit. It was the largest Civil Rights gathering ever held and where Dr. King delivered his famous "I Have A Dream" speech Before delivering it at the Washington March. Rev. Cleage was the most rousing speaker that day. He also spoke at a program during the "GRASS ROOTS CONFERENCE", at historic King Solomon Hall, in Detroit. He shared the podium with Bro. Malcom X, who was so inspired by Rev. Cleage's address that he encouraged all present to join the Shrine of the Black Madonna. |
| 1964 | Rev.Cleage ran for the Governor of the State of Michigan on the Freedom Now Party ticket. He was the first Black person to do so since Reconstrution. The Freedom Now Party was the forerunner to the "Black Slate". |
| 1966 | Inner City Organizing Committee (ICOC), an organization for direct community action formed under the leadership of Rev.Cleage. From this organization came The Inner City Housing Conference, the Black Retail Employees Association, the Inner City Parents Council, the Black Teacher's Workshop, the Inner City Student's Organization, the Afro-American Committee Against racist Wars and the Michigan Inner City Organizing Committee. |
| 1967 | The unveiling of the 18-foot high painting, of the Black Madonna and Child, by artist Glanton Dowdell, launched the Black Christian Nationalist Movement to reflect the church's belief that Jesus was Black. Rev.Cleage formed The Citywide Citizens Action Committee (CCAC), a network of Black organizations dealing with Economic development in the Black community. This organization spawned The Black Star Clothing Factory, giving rise to the Sudan Imports & Specialty Shop, which eventually became the Shrine of the Black Madonna Bookstore and Cultural Center. |
| 1968 | The Black Messiah, a collection of sermons by Rev.Albert B. Cleage, Jr. was published.
Action Groups were organized (replacing the former area groups). Some of their activities included distribution of clothing to the needy, working for Black political candidates and organizing for the BiAfran crisis relief in Africa. |
| 1970 | The Sudan import and Specialty Shop bcame the Shrine of the Black Madonna Bookstore and Cultural Center, opened at 13535 Livernois, Detroit, MI. the Economic Development Corporation (EDC), the financial arm of the church was formed. The name of the Central Congregational Church officially changed to the Shrine of the Black Madonna. Jaramogi began publication of the Black Nation News.
The 1st BCN Convention was held in April in detroit, MI. It was attended by delegates not only from the Amercas but also from Africa. Theme: New Directions for the Black Church. |
| 1971 | Rites of Passage and African Naming Ceremony adopted. The Liberation Triangle was developed. New Rituals and Holy Days adopted (honoring Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, Nat Turner and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.). The BCN Food Co-op Program started at Shrine #1. |
| 1972 | Black Christian Nationalism: New Directions for the Black Church, written by Jaramogi was published.
The honorific title, The Honorable Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman ("Liberator of the People," "Defender," "Blessed Man" was bestowed on Rev.Cleage by renowned African Historian Dr. Ben Yochanin.
BCN National Training Center (NTC) and Residence Hall at 700 Seward was puchased.
Biennial Convention of the Black Christian Nationalist Movement was held January 27-30, in Detroit. The theme; The Black Liberation Struggle: Building A Counter-Culture. Jaramogi presented the 10-year projection of the church's expansion was presented. Missionary Outreach Program (MOR), developed by Cardinal Barbara Nandi Martin was initiated in July. 1st and only BCN seminary training program took place during the summer of 1972 at the BCN National Training Center, with over 100 men and women from across the country being trained and commissioned. Many of them were ordained Fundis' and Mwalimus' to spread the gospel of BCN across the country. Shrine of the Black Madonna #3 was opened on Wyoming near 7 mile in November. |
| 1973 | The Atlanta, GA College Cadre was formed and Flint MI Cadre began operation.
The Black Slate, an advocacy and political action organization was formed in Detroit. The Black Slate was extremely instumental in the election of Detroit's first Black Mayor, The Honorable Coleman A. Young, as it was the first major endorsing organization to support his candidacy. It subsequently was a major force in the elections of Mayors Jackson and Franklin in Atlanta and Harould Washington in Chicago, as well as in elections of judges, State Representatives, Congressional Representatives and numerous other state and local offices in Georgia, Michigan and Texas. April - Philadelphia cadre commissioned by Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman. |
| 1974 | The Atlanta Expansion Cadre was formed.
Shrine of the Black Madonna #2 opened at Mack near Burns on the Eastside of Detroit. |
| 1975 | Creative Worship was incorporated as a part of the regular Sunday Worship service. (Live drama incorporated into the service)
Shrine 9 began with a congregation of approximately 60 college student and 30 full-time young missionaries from Detroit, forming BCN College Cadre #14. The 2nd BCN Convention held in Atlanta, GA opened the Southern Region operations at Shrine #9. |
| 1976 | The Science of KUA (Chritian Science of Healing and Rebirth) was introduced. |
| 1977 | The Kalamazoo Expansion Cadre formed, and Shrine #7 in Kalamazoo Michigan was opened. |
| 1978 | 1st Pan African Synod was held in Houston, Texas at Shrine #10. An independent Protestant denomination, The Pan-African Orthodox Christian Church, was established as our Denomination. An Order of Leadership Succession was established with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Cardinals. The 1st Cardinal designated as the next Holy Patriarch upon the death of the first. |
| 1979 | KUA Meditation and Educational Center (Shrine #5) and the Technological Center (Shrine #4) opened in Detroit. |
| 1981 | Community Service Centers became a part of standard regional operations.
The Beulah Land Farm Project fundraiser began. Goal: to purchase at least 5,000 acres of prime farmland, as a beginning phase of developing an independent Black network or farms, to be used for youth and adults enclaves and training. The first "Mtoto" (Children's) Houses were opened. Mtoto House is a communal ("Kibbutz-style) childcare program for children of the Church. |
| 1983 | The Shrine of the Black Madonna Law Center opened in Detroit, Michigan, at Wyoming near W.Seven Mile. |
| 1984 | The Southern Region in Atlanta opened the Communications and Technological Center.
1st Leadership Conclave (National Leadership Meeting) of the PAOCC held in Atlanta. For the next 10 years, subsequent Leadership Conclaves were held, the last one was held in 1995. |
| 1986 | BCN Missionary Training Centers (5400 & 5500 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.) opened in Houston, Texas.
KUA Meditation Center opened at Shrine #10 in Houston. |
| 1987 | KUA Retreat Center opened in the Southwest Region. |
| 1991 | The Imhotep Medical Clinic opened in Houston as part of the regional urban enclave.
The Holy Sacrament of Commitment became a weekly practice during our Sunday morning worship experience. |
| 1992 | Alkebulan and Adult Small Group Devotionals began in Houston, Texas. |
| 1993 | 2nd Pan African Synod held in Houston, Texas. / General Masai Balogun died on September 22, 1993. |
| 1994 | 1st National Birthday Tribute Celebration held for Jramogi Abebe Agyeman in June in Houston, Texas.
Small Group Devotional offered in each region. / Kugasana Medical Clinic opened in the NTC in Detroit. |
| 1995 | 2nd National Birthday Tribute Celebration held for Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman in June in Houston, Texas. |
| 1996 | 3rd Pan African Synod held in Houston, Texas. A new Order of Succession was established with Cardinal Kimathi designated as the 1st Cardinal, Cardinal Nandi as 2nd Cardinal and Cardinal Olu as the 3rd Cardninal. National College of Cardinals Quarterly meeings were instituted. |
| 1997 | National Tribute for Jaramogi and Mayor Coleman Young was held in July at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, MI. |
| 1998 | Grand Opening of General Masai Field House in Atlanta, GA |
| 1999 | Cardinal Olu died on February 18, 1999 in Detroit, MI.
The house at 729 Seward was named and dedicated as "The Cardinal Olu Ufum Center." Purchased 2600 acres of land in Abbeville County, S.C. for the Beulah Land Farms. A small cadre of brothers and sisters started the initial work on Beulah Land in April and another small cadre from Detroit including Jaramogi relocated to the land in December. |
| 2000 | Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman died on Beulah Land in Calhoun Falls, South Carolina on Sunday, February 20th at approximately 2:00 p.m. A National Memorial Service for Jaramogi was held in Detroit on Saturday, February 26th.
4th Pan African Synod was held in Detoit, Michigan from August 4 - 9. A Service of Installation for the Holy Patriarch was held for Jaramogi Kimathi on August 6th during the Synod. National Quarterly CEO's meetings instituted. This meeting was later re-named the National Committee Meeting. KUA Transformational System (KTS) was implemented in the regular National schedule. Action Groups re-instituted to replace the existing level groups. *//* The New Member Ministry Program was started. National Alkebulan Youth Summer Camp held in Houston, TX *//* National Maccabee Training was held on Beulah Land in August. National YTG Retreat was held in August in Atlanta, GA. The building at 8045 Second, Detroit, Michigan was purchased and sesignated the Akwaaba Community Service Center. This center houses the community and social outreach program activities of the PAOCC. National College of Cardinals Annual Meeting was held in Detroit, Michigan on September 1 - 3, 2001 at the Akwaaba Community Service Center. |
| 2002 | Theology & Bible Class was moved from Sunday mornings to Wednesday nights. Praise and Worshiip was added to Sunday Service; The Church's National Office was relocated to the Akwaaba Community Center; the Beulah Land Institute was established with offices at the Akwaaba Center, and Shrine #10 celebrated 25 years of Christian service in June with attendees from Atlanta, Detroit, and South Carolina. The Annual National College of Cardinas Meeting was held in Houston in conjunction with the 25th Anniversary Celebration. The Holy Order of the essenes was established and consecrated consisting of the Cadre (full time church staff members) in each region. The Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman (JAA) Scholarship was established. |
| 2003 | 50th Church Anniversary JUBILEE CELEBRATION HELD IN Detroit, Michigan, August 1 - 3 2003. A portion of Linwood Avenue was renamed Albert B. Cleage, Jr. Blvd., and the first Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman Symposium on Black Theology was held. The 3-day event culminated in a 17-point official statement offering new directions for the Pan African Orthodox Christian Church to include re-structuring of the Missionary Outreach Program, the Cultural Center, disbanding the Executive Committees, establishing weekly regional Assembly of Cardinal meetings, the establishment of The Albert B. Cleage, Jr. Leadership Foundation, The establishment of The Department of Pan African Ministries, the establishment of The Department of Archives and History and the abolishment of the Order of Succession for the office of the Holy Patriarch. |
| 2004 | National Leadership Meeting held in Detroit in January to restructure the Church structure, a National Church Schedule, organize standard planning committees for Church Calendar activities, devise and assign Church roles. Began Cultural Center Reorganization Process with the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) process workshops.
Started operating under Departmental Budgets with Standard Operating Procedures for each budget.*//* National Security Conference held in Atlanta, GA in May *//* The Albert B. Cleage, Sr. Memorial Health Center opened in Detroit. |
| 2006 | Annual College of Cardinals Meeting held on Beulah Land Feb.16 - 19. *//* Purchased over 1,100 additional acres of land for Beulah Land.
National Beulah Land Summer Camp, July 1 - 31, 2006 *//* National Young Adults Leadership Conference held in Atlanta, GA. The Office of the Holy Patriarch was established to include the Chief Operating Officer, the Holy Patriarch's Chief of Staff, the Chief of Security, the Chief of Akwaaba Center Operations, the Chief of Political and Social Actions, the Chief of Finances, the Chief of Cultural Center Operations, the Chiefs of Beulah Land Operations, the Chief counsel and the Chief of the Jahi Youth Foundation. All regional churches were mandated to become self-supporting and self-reliant. Quarterly Regional Finance Meetings were instituted. |
| 2007 | Shrine of the Black Madonna and the Jahi Youth Development Foundation entered a partnership with KIPP Inc. to build a new K=12 school in Houston, Texas on land owned by the PAOCC. Church land in Houston was sold to KIPP, Inc.
The Kingdom Coming Project was implemented in all regions to empower the members to do the work of ministry through specialized committees, instead of waiting for direction and resources from the regional AOC. The Maccabee Vanguard Security Agency in Detroit, MI was formed. *//* The Church began preparing minsters for standing in the United Church of Christ (UCC) by attending and participating in workshops, meetings and training. |
| 2008 | The national PAOCC Strategic Planning began meeting quarterly with members from each region coming together to meet on a strategic plan for the church.
Each regional church was to devise and implement an operational budget, which would be approved by the memberrship; thus each region would raise the funds to meeting their projuected budget. Jaramogi Kimathi introduced a position paper, "New Directions for the Pan African Orthodox Christian Church," to include becoming an inclusive Church, where all members are welcome, moving from being a cadre-style church back to a congregational church; each regional church becoming autonomous in the type of programs and ministries it operates and being financially self-sufficient; moving from the revolutionary mindset to the evolutionary mindset to prepare a place for the Joshua Caleb generation and beyound, to build a curch that will exist into perpetuity; and restructuring of the communal budget cadre to where3 it is self-sustaining, (no longer financially sponsored by the church) and self-governed by requiring all participants to be effective earners for the group through various enterprises under the group's control; whereas partivipants secure membership in the communal group through productivity and lifelong learning. |
| 2009 | The National Board of Pastors began quarterly meetings to discuss the "preaching message", to devise a plan of action and guidelines for pastors, to review and revise church doctrines, rituals, sacraments and other formal faith documents. |
| 2011 | Throughout this year, we celebrated the 100th (Centennial year) of the birth of our beloved gounder the Honorable Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman. It was a year-long celebration that focused on many aspects of our founder's legacy.
Opening of PAOCC Liberia (Monrovia) making it our first affiliate in the Motherland. Bishop Mbiyu Chue incorporated the Liberian congregation in the Spring of 2011 and purchased land for the building of the church/school on behalf of the officers and members in the U.S.A. Organizing around virtual engagement started in October 2011. First live stream in Atlanta. |
| 2012 | Best Self theology was introduced as the next pathway to reaching our global goal of the unification, transformation, and empowerment of Black people everywhere. It begins with each member striving to be their best self and live teir best life, free of the vestiges of myth of Black inferiority; where they assume responsibility for their own personal life, becoming self-determining and self-reliant. |
| 2013 | In October, our 5th Church Synod was held in Atlant, GA, wherein our Church governance structure was re-ordered. The College of Cardinals and the Assemblies of Cardinals were abolished, the use of titles of Cardinals and Bishops was discontinued, except for the Presiding Bishop and the Senior Pastors in each region who would carry the title of Bishop.
Moved from a ministers-driven governing body to a national Board of Directors and from a regional governing body of ministers to a Congregational Board of Trustees. The regional churches became pastor-led instead of corporately led by a CEO. Agile Planning and Four Powerful Conversations were introduced as tools to assist the church members moving forward effectively, as Best Self Christians. The Best Self Movement was officially launched in 2013, with Best Self seminars, workshops, and eventually weekly Best Self Theology classes. Adopted the name Virtual Village for our media ministry in 2013. |
| 2014 | The National Board of Pastors meet quarterly, to strategize, plan, and decide on the message, ministry and mission focus for both the national and regional churches. |
| 2016 | In early 2016, planning began for the National Celebration for the 50th Anniversary of the Unveiling of the Black Madonna Mural which took take place in Detroit, Michigan April 28 - 30, 2017. |
| 2017 | The 50th Anniversary of the unveiling of the Black Madonna Mural took place in Detroit from April 18th - 20th. |
| 2018 | The Beulah Land Mortagage was paid in full (following the sale of the National Training Center (NTC) in Detroit), making Beulah Lande "debt free!" A Mortagage Burning Ceremony was held in all regions: Detroit, Atlanta and Houston. |
| 2019 | A Quad Centennial Tribute to our beloved Founder, The Honorable Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman was held at the Mother Shrine in Detroit, on February 20th, marking his 108th birthday anniversary. |
| 2022 | October, Grand Opening of Shrine Bila Kuta (without walls). |