The former Saint John's African Methodist Episcopal Church at 957 East Third Street in Salem, Ohio, a cornerstone of our community's black history, is facing imminent demolition. This historically significant building, constructed in 1909 and replacing an even older church from 1887, had served many of Salem residents, even housing the Salvation Army barracks at one point.

Despite its profound historical and architectural value, the building is in severe disrepair, and the current property owner has been unresponsive to city efforts to address dangerous code violations. The Salem Health Board has voted to pursue legal action, which could lead to a court order for demolition.

We, the undersigned, believe that the loss of this irreplaceable landmark would be a yet another tragic blow to Salem's rich history. We urge the City of Salem and the property owner to prioritize its preservation and explore all possible avenues for repair and adaptive reuse.