It became a synagogue.

The meeting house served a Jewish congregation until 1972, according to the Trail Guide.

Snipe said that the change in denomination was a fairly commonplace occurrence that reflected Boston's diverse population.

He cited various synagogues in the city's South End, which had been converted into Baptist churches, as the area's ethnic make-up shifted in the 20th century.

Snipe said that the Black Heritage Trail, which includes the African Meeting House as one of its stops, is a little-known gem.

He said that while many people associate Boston with the birthplace of liberty, they fail to realize that Boston was also the birthplace of equality.

"I think the Black Heritage Trail is definitely overshadowed by the Freedom Trail," said Snipe. "The accomplishments of blacks in Boston is often overlooked because there is an emphasis on black slavery in the South or black in relation to slavery," he said.

"There's a misconception that before 1965, all blacks were either slaves or servants," Snipe said.

However, he insists this was not the case:

"We had integrated schools in Boston by 1855."

Snipe added that the African Meeting House plans to restore its original pews next year. A fire begun by a propane torch had destroyed the original pews in the 1980's, he explained.