Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church and Parsonage facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church and Parsonage
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Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Plymouth, Massachusetts |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | c. 1840; 1870 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 07000168 |
| Added to NRHP | March 19, 2007 |
The Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church and Parsonage is a special historic place in Plymouth, Massachusetts. It includes a church building and a house next door, called a parsonage. This church is one of the few African Methodist Episcopal (AME) churches in eastern Massachusetts. It has been an important part of the African-American community in Plymouth for a long time. The church building was first built around 1840. It became a church in 1870. In 2007, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a very important historical site.
Contents
Discovering the Bethel AME Church
The Bethel AME Church is located on Sever Street in Plymouth. It is just south of the main downtown area. The church is in a neighborhood with many homes.
A Look at the Church Building
The church building is made of wood. It has a gabled roof and a simple design. It looks like a mix of two old styles: Greek Revival and Italianate. You can see columns on the corners and decorative brackets under the roof. The front of the church is balanced. It has two windows with a door in the middle. Each window has a small decorative roof above it. The front door has a small porch with columns.
The parsonage house is also made of wood. It is a simple house built in 1895. It stands about 20 feet behind the church.
The Church's Story
No one knows exactly when the church building was first built. Maps from 1830 show the land was empty. But by 1858, the building was there. It was not always a church. It was used for many things before, like a gym, a shoe shop, and even a school.
In 1870, the AME church group bought the building. Plymouth has always had a small African-American population. In 1850, there were 138 African-American residents. Members of this community started the AME church group in 1866. They first met in a small house on Billington Street. They needed a bigger place, so they bought this building in 1870. Many pastors who led the church were not paid much, or sometimes not at all. They often worked other jobs to support themselves and the church.
What is AME?
AME stands for African Methodist Episcopal. It is a Christian church started by African Americans. It was founded in the late 1700s. The AME church played a big role in the fight for civil rights. It helped African Americans gain freedom and equality.
A Place for the Community
The Bethel AME Church has been a central place for the African-American community in Plymouth. It offered a place for worship and gathering. It also helped people connect and support each other. It shows the strength and history of the community.
See also
