Last updated: January 8, 2025
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St. Matthew Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
African American Civil Rights Network
St. Matthew Christian Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) Church of Milwaukee, Wisconsin is an African American church established in the early 1900s. The congregation played an integral role during the Civil Rights Movement in Milwaukee.
In 1918, Reverend W.S. Ferguson and approximately seven other members established St. Matthew C.M.E in Ferguson’s home. A year later, the congregation moved to another building where it would remain until the late 1950s. In 1958, the church moved again to accommodate a growing congregation. Under the leadership of Reverend B. S. Gregg, the church was an important contributor to Milwaukee’s Civil Rights Movement.
St Matthew C.M.E. Church served as headquarters for the Milwaukee United School Integration Committee (M.U.S.I.C.), a coalition of several organizations which sought to end segregation in Milwaukee’s public school system. M.U.S.I.C. met regularly at the church, and on three occasions, it hosted Freedom Schools organized by the group. M.U.S.I.C. opened the schools to educate students while it coordinated boycotts of the local school system. The schools introduced students to African American history and culture and taught methods of nonviolent direct-action protest. When its efforts failed to move the school board, the coalition pursued a federal lawsuit which it won in 1976.
St. Matthew Christian Methodist Episcopal Church became a part of the African American Civil Rights Network in 2024.
The African American Civil Rights Network recognizes the African American Civil Rights Movement in the United States and the sacrifices made by those who fought against discrimination and segregation. Created by the African American Civil Rights Act of 2017, and coordinated by the National Park Service, the Network tells the stories of the people, places, and events of the U.S. African American Civil Rights Movement through a collection of public and private resources to include properties, facilities, and programs.
St. Matthew Christian Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) Church of Milwaukee, Wisconsin is an African American church established in the early 1900s. The congregation played an integral role during the Civil Rights Movement in Milwaukee.
In 1918, Reverend W.S. Ferguson and approximately seven other members established St. Matthew C.M.E in Ferguson’s home. A year later, the congregation moved to another building where it would remain until the late 1950s. In 1958, the church moved again to accommodate a growing congregation. Under the leadership of Reverend B. S. Gregg, the church was an important contributor to Milwaukee’s Civil Rights Movement.
St Matthew C.M.E. Church served as headquarters for the Milwaukee United School Integration Committee (M.U.S.I.C.), a coalition of several organizations which sought to end segregation in Milwaukee’s public school system. M.U.S.I.C. met regularly at the church, and on three occasions, it hosted Freedom Schools organized by the group. M.U.S.I.C. opened the schools to educate students while it coordinated boycotts of the local school system. The schools introduced students to African American history and culture and taught methods of nonviolent direct-action protest. When its efforts failed to move the school board, the coalition pursued a federal lawsuit which it won in 1976.
St. Matthew Christian Methodist Episcopal Church became a part of the African American Civil Rights Network in 2024.
The African American Civil Rights Network recognizes the African American Civil Rights Movement in the United States and the sacrifices made by those who fought against discrimination and segregation. Created by the African American Civil Rights Act of 2017, and coordinated by the National Park Service, the Network tells the stories of the people, places, and events of the U.S. African American Civil Rights Movement through a collection of public and private resources to include properties, facilities, and programs.