Beecher Bible and Rifle Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Beecher Bible and Rifle Church
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 Location in Kansas
Location in the United States
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| Location | SE corner of Chapel and Elm Sts., Wabaunsee, Kansas |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1862 |
| Architectural style | Plains Vernacular |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000334 |
| Added to NRHP | February 24, 1971 |
The Beecher Bible and Rifle Church is a very old church in Wabaunsee, Kansas. It's famous because of its unique name and the important role it played in American history. The church is named after a man named Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. He helped the town of Wabaunsee get started.
Rev. Beecher also helped the settlers get special rifles. These rifles were hidden in boxes that looked like they held Bibles. This was done to get them past people who supported slavery. Because of this, the rifles became known as "Beecher's Bibles."
Contents
A Church with a Story
The town of Wabaunsee was founded in 1855. About 70 people from New England, specifically New Haven, Connecticut, moved there. They formed a group called the Connecticut Kansas Colony. This group was also known as the Beecher Rifle Colony.
Why Settlers Came to Wabaunsee
These settlers were inspired by Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. He was a well-known abolitionist. An abolitionist was someone who strongly believed that slavery should be ended. Beecher gave money to help the men in Wabaunsee get rifles. These weapons were for their own protection.
The Famous "Beecher's Bibles"
The rifles were smuggled into the area. They were hidden in places where people supported slavery. The boxes holding the rifles were marked "Beecher's Bibles." This trick helped them get through safely. That's how the rifles themselves got the nickname "Beecher's Bibles."
A Safe Place for Freedom
Wabaunsee was a strong anti-slavery town. It became an important part of the Underground Railroad in late 1856. The Underground Railroad was a secret network. It helped enslaved people escape to freedom. Wabaunsee also helped the nearby town of Lawrence after a violent attack called Quantrill's Raid.
The Church Building
The Beecher Bible and Rifle Church was finished in 1862. It took four years to build. A church member named Robert Banks built it using local limestone. The building has different colored stones for decoration.
Design and Features
The church's style is called Plains Vernacular. This means it's a simple, practical design common in the plains region. It has a sloped roof and a wooden bell tower. A brick chimney in the middle helps vent wood stoves. These stoves kept the church warm.
You enter the church through a small room called a vestibule. From there, you can go up stairs to the choir loft. Inside the main church area, the space was once divided. One side was for men and the other for women.
A Historic Landmark
This special church building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. This means it is recognized as an important historical site. It helps us remember a key time in American history.
