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“The First Independent Church was organized by the Rev. Dr. Harold S. Laird. They held their first meeting on June 21, 1936. The first meeting in their church was held on June 28, 1936. The church was regularly organized on Sept. 16, 1936. It was incorporated on Oct. 26, 1936. They took title to the Cookman M. E. Church property at 14th and Dupont Sts. on June 2, 1937.” (1)