The Shrine of the Black Madonna of the Pan African Orthodox Christian Church (PAOCC), formally known as The Central Congregational Church was founded in 1953 in Detroit , Michigan by Reverend Albert B. Cleage Jr. (Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman). The PAOCC began its mission as a socially conscious, religious institution. For more than 50 years, the PAOCC has provided and continues to provide the theological, philosophical, and programmatic foundation to build "institutional power" for Black People. We are committed to transforming the spiritual emptiness, economic powerlessness and social disorganization that plagues the Black community.

In 1977, The Southwest Region of the PAOCC was established in Houston , Texas . The PAOCC is "a force for good in our community and in the lives of men, women and children" because of our belief that "no area of life is separate and apart from our Christian faith, and no problem of society is too threatening or too controversial for positive Christian action by our church."

Additional Locations:

• Central Region: Detroit, MI
• Southern Region: Atlanta, GA
• Beulah Land Region: Calhoun Falls, SC