Black Panther Flyer, 1970s

Two 1970s flyers from the Washington Square Methodist Church. A Greenwich Village icon built in 1860, the church became a sanctuary for draft dodgers, Black Panthers and various gay and lesbian groups in the 1970s and 1980s.

Led during this time by Reverend Paul Abels, America’s first openly gay minister,  who renamed it the Peace Church. Despite the successes of the church, Abels was forced into an early retirement by a majority anti-gay vote in the Methodist Church’s General Conference. In the 2000s the once church turned civil rights headquarters was sold and in true New York fashion was converted into condos with units purchased by Jude Law and Steven Van Zandt.

8“ x 11”

Available on the website ($150 each)