Bethany Baptist Church (Newark, New Jersey) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bethany Baptist Church
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 Location in Essex County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | 275 W. Market Street, Newark, New Jersey |
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| Area | 0.2 acres (0.081 ha) |
| Built | 1866 |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 88000466 |
| Added to NRHP | May 10, 1989 |
Bethany Baptist Church is a very important church located in Newark, New Jersey. It has a long and interesting history, especially because it was one of the first Baptist churches started by African Americans.
Contents
History of Bethany Baptist Church
Early Beginnings in 1870
The story of Bethany Baptist Church began in 1870. A group of African Americans came together to form a church. They met in a building that belonged to the Peddie Memorial Baptist Church in Newark.
Official Church Status
A leader named Reverend Ebenezer Bird came from Virginia to guide this new group. There were about 26 members at that time. In June 1871, the Council of Baptist Churches officially recognized them as a church. This was a big moment! The church is very proud to be the "first Baptist congregation founded by people of African descent."
The Church Building's Style
The original church building was built in 1866. It was designed in the Romanesque style. This style often uses round arches, thick walls, and strong, solid shapes, similar to ancient Roman buildings. Because of its historical importance and unique architecture, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. This means it is recognized as a special place worth preserving.
Leadership and New Location
From 2000 to 2015, M. William Howard, Jr. was the leader, or "steward," of the church. Over time, the church needed a new home. The old building was replaced by a housing complex. Then, a brand new church building was constructed at 275 W. Market Street. This new building was officially opened and dedicated on May 2, 1976.
Images for kids
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The new Bethany Baptist Church building.
See also
References
