BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Grace A. M. E. Zion Church
The first church built of the lot was a frame building of thirty by sixty feet, where the congregation worshiped until the present structure was built. By the end of the nineteenth century, the congregation had outgrown the original frame building, and the pastor, Dr. John Wesley Smith, began to raise funds for a new brick structure. In 1898, the frame building was moved to the back of the lot in preparation for construction of the new one. The young ladies of the church helped raise money by selling ice cream and fried fish on Saturdays.The building was actually dedicated on July 13, 1902. Grace Church continued to enjoy steady membership and prosperity during the first half of the twentieth century. Located in the then flourishing black community of Brooklyn in Charlotte's Second Ward, it was a focal point for religious and social activities for both young and old. Its membership and pastorate have included a number of leading citizens who have contributed a great deal to the community, both black and white. Two of its outstanding members were Dr. J.T. Williams (1859-1924) and Thad L. Tate (1865-1951).
Dr. John Taylor Williams was a highly respected educator, physician, businessman and civil servant of the Charlotte community. Dr. Williams was twice elected to the Board of Aldermen, in 1888 and 1890. President McKinley nominated him for the post of consul to Sierra Leone, West Africa in 1898, where he served until 1907. After his service in Africa, Dr. Williams returned to Charlotte and resumed his medical practice. J.T. Williams Junior High School is named in honor of his service to the community.
Thad Tate was instrumental in improving the quality of life for the black community. He helped establish the Brevard Street branch of the public library, was a founder of the branch of the YMCA for blacks, and was an original director of the investment company which built the first office building in Charlotte (at 3rd and Brevard) to be used by black businesses and professions. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the Morrison Training School in Hoffman, N.C. for black youths, where a building is named in his honor.
Mecklenburg Investment Company Building
In May, 1922, construction began on a building which was unique in the city of Charlotte. The MIC Building was the first structure planned and executed by some of the black leaders of the community to accommodate black businesses, professional offices, civic and fraternal organizations. It was built as an anchor for the business and social activities of the former Brooklyn community of Second Ward by the Mecklenburg Investment Company, an investment group organized for that purpose and from which the building received its name.