This is THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY of the LAYING OF THE CHURCH CORNERSTONE! Abyssinian is proud to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone for our current church building on 138th Street (now Odell Clark Place) in Harlem in July 1922. An estimated 25,000 Abyssinians, friends and well-wishers gathered for the momentous occasion. Masons of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge, New York State and Boyer Lodge #1 were given the honor of presiding over the ceremony. Construction of the new church and Community House was completed within 14 months of beginning the work. With some funds from outside contributors, the members of Abyssinian paid the entire mortgage (approximately $400,000) on their church and Community House by 1928. The tithes and offerings of Abyssinian members were cited as a major factor in their ability to free the church of all indebtedness on its 138th Street property between 1920 and 1928.