African Zion Baptist Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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African Zion Baptist Church
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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African Zion Baptist Church, September 1979
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 Location in West Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 4104 Malden Dr., Malden, West Virginia |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1872 |
| NRHP reference No. | 74002010 |
| Added to NRHP | December 27, 1974 |
The African Zion Baptist Church is a very important and old church located in Malden, West Virginia. It's a special place for many reasons, especially for the history of African-American communities in West Virginia. This church is part of the Malden Historic District, which means it's in an area with many other important historical buildings.
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A Special Place in History
This church is known as the "mother church" for African-American Baptists in West Virginia. This means it was one of the first and most important churches for Black communities in the state. Many people moved to West Virginia after the American Civil War (1861-1865) and the time called Reconstruction. These were times of big changes in the United States, especially for formerly enslaved people. The church became a central place for these new communities.
The Church Building
The African Zion Baptist Church is a one-story building. It is made of wood and sits on a strong stone foundation. The roof has a pointed shape, called a gable roof. On top of the roof, there is a wooden bell tower. This tower holds the church bell. The church was built in 1872, making it over 150 years old!
Important People Connected to the Church
Many important people were part of the African Zion Baptist Church.
"Father" Lewis Rice
One of the key figures was "Father" Lewis Rice. He was the person who started the church. He was also a very important leader for the early African-American community in the Kanawha Valley area of West Virginia. He helped guide and support many people during a challenging time.
Booker T. Washington
Another famous member was Booker T. Washington. He was a very important educator and leader in American history. He grew up in Malden and was a member of this church. His experiences here helped shape his ideas about education and helping his community. He later founded the Tuskegee Institute, a famous school in Alabama.
National Recognition
Because of its important history and role in the community, the African Zion Baptist Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. This is a list of places in the United States that are considered very important to the country's history. Being on this list helps protect the church and recognize its value for future generations.
