American Baptist Publication Society building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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American Baptist Publication Society
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 Location in Philadelphia
Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1420–1422 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1896 |
| Architect | Frank Miles Day & Bro.; Payne, George W. & Bro. |
| Architectural style | Renaissance, French Renaissance |
| NRHP reference No. | 80003607 |
| Added to NRHP | June 27, 1980 |
The American Baptist Publication Society building is a historic landmark located at 1420–1422 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This beautiful building has a rich history connected to a group that aimed to spread education and good values across the United States.
Contents
A Building with a Purpose
The building you see today was finished in 1896. It was built on the same spot where the previous headquarters of the American Baptist Publication Society stood. Sadly, that earlier building was destroyed by a fire in February 1896.
The Society's Beginnings
The American Baptist Publication Society started a long time ago, in 1824. It was first known as the Baptist General Tract Society. A preacher named Luther Rice and others founded this group. Over the years, it changed its name a few times, eventually becoming the American Baptist Board of Educational Ministries.
Spreading Knowledge and Values
The main goal of the society was to use education to share important truths and teach good morals. They did this in many ways:
- They printed books, Bibles, and lessons for Sunday schools.
- They published tracts, which are small pamphlets with religious or moral messages.
- They sent people called "colporters" to travel around the U.S. and distribute books.
- They even used special "chapel train cars" to reach people in different areas during the 1800s.
Architectural Beauty
The famous architect Frank Miles Day designed this building. He used a style called French Renaissance Revival. This means the building looks a bit like a grand French castle or chateau. When it was built, it was one of the tallest and most impressive buildings on Philadelphia's skyline.
Setting the Standard
The American Baptist Publication Society building helped set the style for other commercial buildings on Chestnut Street. This street was known for its fashionable shops and offices. It stood out alongside other important buildings like the Jacob Reed's Sons Store and the Packard Building.
A Recognized Landmark
Because of its historical and architectural importance, the American Baptist Publication Society building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This means it is officially recognized as a place worth preserving for future generations.
See Also
- The First Hundred Years of the American Baptist Publication Society, by Daniel Gurden Stevens, American Baptist Publication Society, c. 1924, ISBN: 978-1-152-54813-8.
