[2] Located a few blocks to the northeast of the campus of St. Louis University, the church is one of only a few surviving buildings in the 19th century "Piety Hill" neighborhood.

[2] After being badly damaged by fire in 1911 the church was rebuilt from plans by architect William Anelett Cann.

[2] After the interior of the church was rebuilt in 1911, features were added such as the vaulted ceiling and stained glass windows.

[2] The St. Louis congregation which became Washington Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Zion church was founded in about 1865 as home prayer meetings with the first known pastor, Gary Matthews.

[3] Under Shaw's leadership, the church opened the AME Zion Social Center in 1915 and offered free classes taught by professionals, including child study and home economics, literature, current events, music, writing, and commercial law.