Shrines of the Black Madonna of the
Pan-African Orthodox Christian Church
"The Mother Shrine"
Our History and Mission
In October 1953, Rev. Albert B. Cleage Jr. founded the Central Congregational Church in Detroit. The Central Congregational Church was perhaps best known for its popular and successful Youth Fellowship Program, Detroit’s Finest Youth Program. It incorporated dance, drama, sports, social events, academics, Christian service and the “Workday for Christ,” and was an integral part of the church’s mission for transforming the world.
Our Ministries
The Pan-African Ministry
The Pan African Ministry was established to build a platform for industrial and cultural exchange, and to build a network of communications and partnerships across West Africa which includes work in: Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, and now in Liberia.
Our Prison Ministry
Rev. Mbiyu volunteered with Ryan and Mound Correctional facilities until they closed in 2013, then moving to Macomb Correctional Facility where weekly classes covering a variety of topics from Fatherhood & Parenting, Self-Improvement, Emotional Intelligence, and Leadership Development.
The Freedom School
The Detroit Independent Freedom serves hundreds of neighborhood youth with Saturday school academic classes, art, African history, meditation, music and black literature.
Our Partners
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Continuing the Vision
Carrying forward the rich seventy-two legacy of community involvement, social, political and economic transformation, the Mother Shrine has developed over a dozen institutional mechanisms to address the needs, issues and concerns of our beloved Detroit community. In 2000 we opened the Akwaaba Community Center, a community hub for youth education, cultural enrichment, social action, and economic opportunity. In 2001, the Pan African Ministry was established to build a platform for industrial and cultural exchange, and to build a network of communications and partnerships across West Africa, which includes work in: Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, and now in Liberia. Bishop Moore has served as the U.S. representative for the Africa Cultures International Institute and taken dozens of politicians, business folks, and cultural groups to visit and learn the storied connection we share with these African countries.