African Academy (Baltimore) facts for kids

The African Academy was a very important school in Baltimore, Maryland. It was the first permanent school in the city specifically for African Americans. You could find it at 112–116 Sharp Street, located between Lombard and Pratt streets.

Starting the African Academy

The idea for the African Academy first came about in 1797. A group of black Methodists wanted to open a school. They received help from the Maryland Society for the Abolition of Slavery. This group worked to end slavery. Two brothers, Elisha Tyson and Jesse Tyson, were especially helpful.

The school and a meeting place opened on what is now Saratoga Street. Back then, it was called Fish Street. However, after only a few months, they had to close. They didn't have enough money to keep it going. The church group connected to the school was part of the Lovely Lane Meeting House until 1802.

A New Beginning on Sharp Street

In 1802, the African Academy got a fresh start. This time, they had enough money! The African Methodist Episcopal Church and the African Academy were both started on Sharp Street. This was done by the Colored Methodist Society. At this point, their church group separated from the Lovely Lane Meeting House.

Daniel Coker's Leadership

Daniel Coker was a key figure in the school's history. He was the headmaster, or main teacher, until 1817. In 1807, Coker also started the Bethel Charity School. This school was supported by the Colored Methodist Society. Students from both Baltimore and Washington, D.C. attended this school.

In 1817, Daniel Coker became the pastor of the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. This church was on Saratoga Street, east of Holliday Street. He continued to run the school from that new location. By the 1820s, the school was very popular, with about 150 students attending.

The Church and Its Legacy

Daniel Coker was also one of the founders of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He was the lead teacher for the church group until 1817. Years later, in 1860, a new church building was constructed on the same site.

Later, in 1898, a beautiful new church was built. It was designed in the Gothic style. This church was named the Sharp Street Memorial United Methodist Church and Community House. It was built on Dolphin and Etting Streets.