Bethel AME Church (Davenport, Iowa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bethel A.M.E. Church
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Bethel Church in 2015
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | 323 W. 11th Street Davenport, Iowa |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1909 |
| Architect | Clausen & Clausen |
| Architectural style | Bungalow/Craftsman |
| MPS | Davenport MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 83002401 |
| Added to NRHP | July 7, 1983 |
Bethel A.M.E. Church is a historic church located in Davenport, Iowa, United States. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This means it's recognized as an important historical site. The church has a special place in Iowa's history, especially for the African-American community.
A Church with a Rich History
The African Methodist Episcopal Church group in Davenport started in November 1865. It officially became a church on January 1, 1866. Their first church building was at Fourth and Gaines Street. This was the first of several churches founded by the Black community in Davenport after the American Civil War. It was also the very first A.M.E. church in the entire state of Iowa.
At that time, the Black community in Davenport was quite small. Some of the first leaders, called trustees, were Emanuel Franklin, P.C. Cooper, Hy Simon, and William Van Duzer.
In 1875, the church bought land at Eleventh and Ripley Streets. By 1909, the church finished building the current church building. This new church was in the center of the city's African-American Community. About 50 people were part of the church at that time. Before the new building was finished, services were held in its basement. When the new building was completed, the church changed its name to Bethel A.M.E. Church. William W. Williams was the pastor during this important time.
Building Style and Design
The church building was designed by a local architectural firm called Clausen & Clausen. They used two styles often seen in homes: Bungalow and American Craftsman styles. These styles are known for being simple and practical. This choice of design fits well with the A.M.E. church's focus on simplicity.
The building also has round, stained glass windows. These windows remind people of the Romanesque Revival style. This style is more common for church buildings than for homes. Inside, the main area, called the nave, has a rounded ceiling that looks like a cut barrel. This is called barrel vaulting. At the back of the worship area, there is a domed section called an apse.
Images for kids
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Rear view of the building.
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