Where has UAMEZ Church been in the news?
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UAMEZ Church, known for most of its history as University AME Zion Church, has been covered by Palo Alto Online, KPIX, the Stanford Daily and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In 2026 the National Trust named the church a Preserving Black Churches grantee. Coverage runs from 2008 to today, and historical records go back to the early 1920s.
Most stories use the earlier name, and both names refer to the same congregation at 3549 Middlefield Road.
Source note: publication dates were supplied by the church and have not all been independently verified. Outlet headlines keep their original titles.
Selected entries include cropped publisher mastheads and headlines. Each preview links to the original article; photographs and full article text are not reproduced.
Why did the National Trust give UAMEZ a preservation grant?
UAMEZ was one of 33 churches in the National Trust's February 2026 Preserving Black Churches round. The $400,000 grant repairs the foundation of the 1920s Little House and upgrades the campus courtyard. City permit 26BLD-02116 for foundation repairs at 3549 Middlefield Road was issued September 25, 2026.
Read the original article (opens in a new tab)Article header preview · Palo Alto Online University AME Zion Church plans renovations after historic award (opens in a new tab)
Coverage of the renovation plans that follow the church's historic preservation award.
Preserving Black Churches grant recipients, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
The National Trust's list of the churches chosen for the 2026 grant round.
How did Palo Alto respond when the church was vandalized?
Graffiti was reported at the church in December 2019. In early January 2020 the congregation hosted a Solidarity Sunday service, and local outlets covered the community's response.
Read the original article (opens in a new tab)Article header preview · Stanford Daily Palo Alto responds to defacement of Black church (opens in a new tab)
Report on how the Palo Alto community reacted after the church was defaced.
Standing in solidarity with others strengthens us when we must stand up for ourselves (opens in a new tab)
A Jewish community newspaper's take on solidarity between neighbors.
Several Show Support For Vandalized Historically Black Palo Alto Church At Special Service (opens in a new tab)
Television report on the special service where supporters gathered with the congregation.
Black church to host Solidarity Sunday service in wake of vandalism (opens in a new tab)
Advance notice of the Solidarity Sunday service held after the vandalism.
Graffiti Vandalism Mars Historically Black Palo Alto Church (opens in a new tab)
Television report on the graffiti found at the church.
Police boost patrols after historically black church in Palo Alto defaced (opens in a new tab)
Television report on added police patrols after the defacement.
How did the church mark 100 years in Palo Alto?
The church reached its centennial in 2018, and Palo Alto Online noted the celebration. Related coverage in this group includes a 2018 vigil against hate and the congregation's grief after the 2015 Charleston killings.
More than 1,000 turn out for vigil against hate (opens in a new tab)
Report on the large turnout at a Palo Alto vigil against hate.
Community Notebook: City's first black church celebrates centennial (opens in a new tab)
Community Notebook item on the church's 100th anniversary celebration.
African Methodist Episcopal Zion members mourn in aftermath of Charleston killings (opens in a new tab)
Report on how church members grieved after the 2015 Charleston killings.
What happened to the original church on Ramona Street?
Palo Alto Online covered the rebirth of the original Ramona Street church building in 2009, after a 2008 Our Town column about the church. The building is also described in the historical records below.
Palo Alto's oldest black church celebrates rebirth (opens in a new tab)
Story on the celebration of the original church building's rebirth.
Our Town: A place to belong (opens in a new tab)
A column about the church as a place to belong.
What historical records document the church?
Public records and heritage articles document the church from 1918 onward. Each entry links to its source.
| Year | Source | Record |
|---|---|---|
| National Register of Historic Places, #96000297 | Listing for the Ramona Street church building (opens in a new tab) | |
| Palo Alto Historic Buildings Inventory | Entry for 819 Ramona Street (opens in a new tab) | |
| Palo Alto City Directory | Church listing, meeting at Fraternity Hall (opens in a new tab) | |
| Palo Alto Stanford Heritage | University African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Building, 819 Ramona Street (opens in a new tab) Year marks the start of the period covered. The article's own publication date is not used as the item date. |
What is Pastor Kaloma Smith known for in Palo Alto?
Pastor Smith has led UAMEZ since 2013. He received the 2025 Tall Tree Award for Outstanding Professional from the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce and Palo Alto Weekly, and he chaired Palo Alto's Human Relations Commission during the city's 2020 police reform work.
“Rev. Smith has been a leader among Palo Alto clergy/faith leaders,”
Read the original article (opens in a new tab)Article header preview · Star of Zion Palo Alto Community Recognizes Rev. Kaloma Smith, Pastor, University A.M.E. Zion Church (opens in a new tab)
Denominational newspaper report on the community's recognition of Pastor Smith.
Civic leaders honored at Tall Tree Awards (opens in a new tab)
Coverage of the Tall Tree Awards ceremony honoring local civic leaders.
Palo Alto's Tall Tree Awards honor leaders, a nonprofit, business (opens in a new tab)
Announcement of the 2025 Tall Tree Award honorees.
Mental health experts bolster Palo Alto's police reform efforts (opens in a new tab)
Report on the role of mental health experts in the city's police reform work.
'We have a world that needs changing': Hundreds join racial justice vigil for George Floyd in Palo Alto (opens in a new tab)
Report on a racial justice vigil held in Palo Alto for George Floyd.
Council adds new members to its boards and commissions (opens in a new tab)
Report on new appointments to city boards and commissions.
After 18 hate incidents, Human Relations Commission asks City Council to take action (opens in a new tab)
Report on the commission's request for council action on hate incidents.
Spurred by calls for reform, Palo Alto backs restrictions on police use of force (opens in a new tab)
Report on council support for limits on police use of force.
Local rabbi and pastor lead coast-to-coast 'Night of Hope' to fight racism (opens in a new tab)
Report on a coast-to-coast Night of Hope led by a local rabbi and Pastor Smith.
Guest Opinion: Palo Alto needs reform now (opens in a new tab)
Pastor Smith's guest opinion calling for police reform in Palo Alto.
Palo Alto leaders condemn police brutality, vow to protect demonstrators (opens in a new tab)
Report on local leaders' statements against police brutality and for protecting demonstrators.
Talks and conversations
What Does an Antiracist Community Look Like? Conversation with Julie Lythcott-Haims (opens in a new tab)
Event page for a conversation between Pastor Smith and Julie Lythcott-Haims.
The Words That Move Us: The Message of MLK Today (opens in a new tab)
Event page for a Martin Luther King Jr. Day program.
Policing, Violence, and Race panel with DA Jeff Rosen and Mayor Adrian Fine (opens in a new tab)
Event page for a virtual panel on policing, violence and race.
The Experience of Race and Reform in Palo Alto (opens in a new tab)
Speaker page for a talk to the Rotary Club.
Q&A with Pastor Smith, Police Chief Bob Jonsen and City Manager Ed Shikada (opens in a new tab)
Recorded question and answer session with the police chief and city manager.
Are there older stories that aren't online?
Historical Palo Alto newspapers are available on microfilm at Rinconada Library. Church-specific clippings and dates are still being verified. If you have clippings, photos or memories to share, please email info@uamez.com.
Are you a reporter writing about UAMEZ?
Boilerplate
UAMEZ Church (University AME Zion Church) is a historically Black, multicultural Christian church at 3549 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto, California. The congregation has been in Palo Alto since 1918 and belongs to the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Pastor Kaloma Smith has led UAMEZ since 2013, and the church worships Sundays at 10 a.m.
Quick facts
- Name
- UAMEZ Church (University AME Zion Church)
- Address
- 3549 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, California
- Founded in Palo Alto
- 1918
- Middlefield campus built
- 1965
- Pastor
- Pastor Kaloma Smith
- Sunday worship
- 10 a.m.
Photo downloads
- Church exterior [PHOTO NOT YET SUPPLIED: download will be added]
- Pastor Smith headshot [PHOTO NOT YET SUPPLIED: download will be added]
- Sunday worship photo [PHOTO NOT YET SUPPLIED: download will be added]
Press contact
info@uamez.com
(650) 272-6742
Office hours: Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
New to UAMEZ? How do I plan a visit?
We worship Sundays at 10 a.m. Kids' check-in opens at 9:45 a.m.