Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis Photograph Collection
Scope and Contents
The Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis Photograph Collection contains photographs related to 25 men who died of AIDS or AIDS-related causes. Most of the photographs show portraits of the men, but several show quilt squares for the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt and other memorial items. The photographs were framed and displayed on the Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis (MCC) Ezekiel Project AIDS Memorial Altar. The size and style of the photographs and frames vary considerably.
The date of the altar display is unclear, and some of the photos may have appeared in multiple memorials.
Most of the frames were numbered and match to an entry in the Ezekiel Project's Book of Biographies. When available, relevant biographical information has been added to the individual image records. Biographical entries were photocopied and added to the photograph collection. The original Book of Biographies is housed in the Archives Department.
Dates
- ca. 1960 - ca. 2015
Creator
- Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
No viewing restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright restrictions may apply. The user assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright.
Biographical / Historical
As the region’s oldest and largest LGBTQIA+ faith group, the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) of Greater St. Louis was especially affected by the AIDS crisis. In response, the church launched the Ezekiel Project, a ministry for people living with HIV. Among other activities, the Ezekiel Project created a church altar memorializing congregation members lost to AIDS-related complications. The altar was decorated with a collection of photographs, religious objects, and personal mementos that grew with the passage of time.
Extent
1.06 Cubic Feet ( (1 record center carton, 3 folders))
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
When no number was present on the frame, MHS assigned the next sequential number. When MHS assigned the ID number, this is noted in the individual image records. Some sequential numbers are missing from the collection.
Images were removed from frames for preservation purposes, and the frames are stored separately. One of the frames was broken on arrival at MHS.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
No physical or technical restrictions.
Donor Information
Collection donated by Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis in 2022.
Existence and Location of Copies
Digital copies and item-level records of select images are posted as they are created and can be accessed through the Online Collections on the Missouri Historical Society website (mohistory.org/collections).
Digitized images are generated from the original item whenever possible and files are adjusted only to ensure an accurate representation. Master files are saved in TIF format and JPEG viewing files are automatically generated from the master files.
Formats
Photographs
Processing Information
Processed by Lauren Sallwasser, 2026.
Creator
- Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis (Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis Photograph Collection.
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- EAD by Lauren Sallwasser using ArchivesSpace.
- Date
- 2026
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Missouri Historical Society, Photographs and Prints Department Repository
Library and Research Center
225 South Skinker Boulevard
St. Louis MO 63105
photo@mohistory.org