Illustrious history behind Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church

Race: Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church is known as one of the leading lights in the fight against racial hostility

The roots of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church run deep in America’s history.

It is known as one of the leading lights in the fight against racial hostility.

Built during a tide of discrimination it was once razed to the ground in hate only for it to be built again.

The congregation was first formed in 1791, a coalition of freed African-Americans blacks and slaves.

At first the group was part of Charleston’s Methodist Episcopal Church but in 1816, they left their white counterparts in a dispute over burial grounds.

At the time, the church was 1,400 members strong. They rallied behind the leadership of a pastor named Morris Brown and organised under the banner of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Denmark Vesey - one of the founders - was a leader of a failed slave revolt in 1822 which when discovered saw the church burned to the ground by whites.

Authorities also arrested 313 alleged participants, and executed 35, including Vesey.

Due to its standing in the country it earned the nickname of 'Mother Emanuel' - a place African-Americans look to for help and support in the fight for equal rights.

The church was rebuilt in 1891, replacing the original building which had been damaged by 1886 earthquake.

Civil rights leader Martin Luther King gave a speech at the church in April 1962.

The massacre of nine of its followers on Wednesday has once again forced the church to confront the ongoing, ugly face of racial discord in the States.