Abyssinian Meeting House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Abyssinian Meeting House
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 73–75 Newbury St., Portland, Maine |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1828 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 05001612 |
| Added to NRHP | February 3, 2006 |
The Abyssinian Meeting House is a very old church building in Portland, Maine. It is located at 73–75 Newbury Street, in the Munjoy Hill area of the city.
Free African-Americans built this church between 1828 and 1831. It is the oldest African-American church building in Maine. It is also the third oldest in the entire United States!
For many years, the Abyssinian Meeting House was a busy place. People came here to worship and for special religious gatherings. It was also a key spot for meetings about ending slavery and promoting temperance (avoiding alcohol). Important speakers and concerts were held here too.
The building was home to groups like the Female Benevolent Society. It also hosted the Portland Union Anti-Slavery Society. From the mid-1840s to the mid-1850s, it even served as a school for Black children in Portland.
This historic building is special because it is the only Underground Railroad site in Maine. The National Park Service officially recognizes it. In 2006, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
A Special Place for Worship and Community (1828–1917)
The Abyssinian Meeting House was the heart of the African-American community in southern Maine. People wanted a place where they could worship freely.
In 1826, some community leaders wrote a letter. They spoke out against another church in Portland. That church treated non-white members unfairly. Black people were often made to sit in the balcony or were not welcomed at all.
Christopher Christian Manuel, Reuben Ruby, and others worked to create their own church. In 1828, they asked the state of Maine to officially recognize the Abyssinian Religious Society. The building then became the Abyssinian Congregational Church.
Reuben Ruby's Important Role
Reuben Ruby (1798–1878) was very important to the church's start. He gave the land to the Society in 1831. He also helped build the inside of the meeting house.
Ruby was well-known for speaking out against slavery. He helped create the Maine Anti-Slavery Society in 1834. As a hackman (someone who drove a horse-drawn taxi), he secretly helped enslaved people escape to freedom. He even hosted famous abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison in his home.
The Abyssinian church was active for 86 years, from 1831 to 1917. Over time, it was also known as the Sumner Street Church and later the Newbury Street Church.
A Minister and a School
The Reverend Amos Noé Freeman (1810–93) was the first full-time minister. He served from 1841 to 1851. He focused on helping people find jobs, encouraging temperance, and fighting to end slavery.
Reverend Freeman was known as an Underground Railroad agent. He used the church to host anti-slavery speakers. He also organized meetings where formerly enslaved people shared their stories.
By 1845, he became the principal of a separate school for Black children. The school improved greatly under his care. It even added music education!
In 1846, the school for Black children moved into the Abyssinian Meeting House. In 1851, about 75 students were enrolled. The school closed in 1856. After that, African-American students in Portland attended integrated schools with all other children.
Surviving the Great Fire
The Abyssinian Meeting House is one of the few buildings that survived the 1866 Great Fire of Portland, Maine. People tell stories about church members fighting hard to protect their beloved building from the flames.
Changes Over Time
Over the 1800s, the church's congregation became smaller. This was partly because more churches opened in the city. Also, the African-American population spread out more.
In 1898, a big storm caused the SS Portland ship to sink. Seventeen men from the church, including two leaders, were on board and lost their lives. This was a huge blow to the congregation. After this, the church became much less active.
The Church is Sold
In 1917, the Maine Legislature passed a law to sell the Abyssinian Meeting House. This happened on July 28, 1917. Most of the church members joined the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Today, this is known as the Green Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in Portland.
The money from the sale of the building went to a religious organization. This money was meant to help build or repair churches for Black people in Portland. It also supported religious work for that community.
After it was sold, the Abyssinian building was used for different things. It was a stable for horses and an antique shop. In 1924, it was turned into apartments. In 1991, the City of Portland took ownership because of unpaid taxes.
Becoming a Landmark and Restoration Efforts
The Abyssinian Meeting House sat empty for six years. Then, in 1998, a group called the Committee to Restore the Abyssinian bought it. They wanted to save this important piece of history. They bought the building from the City of Portland for just $250. This was the same price Reuben Ruby had sold the land for in 1828!
The Abyssinian is the third oldest African-American meeting house in the United States. Only buildings in Boston and Nantucket, Massachusetts are older.
In 2006, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This was the same year that restoration work began. In 2007, it was recognized by the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.
Discoveries During Restoration
In April 2008, archaeologists dug around the Meeting House. They found old toys, slate pencils, an inkwell, marbles, dishes, and bits of glass from the 1800s.
Workers also removed parts added in the 1920s. They uncovered original wooden beams. They even found parts of what they believe was the choir loft!
During the restoration, a clay pipe broke in the basement. A steady stream of water started to flow. In 2011, a project began to control the water. During this work, a wooden water pipe was found! It was reburied to keep it safe. Later digging showed that the original owners had a system to filter water from a swampy area. They piped this clean water to a nearby railroad.
In September 2012, a group called Greater Portland Landmarks listed the Abyssinian as a historic site in danger. It needed more money for restoration. In 2021, a large grant of $375,000 was given to help with the building's restoration.
See also
