Calvin Brent facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Calvin Thomas Stowe Brent
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| Born | 1854 |
| Died | November 14, 1899 |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Known for | St. Luke's Episcopal Church (Washington, D.C.), Third Baptist Church (Washington, D.C.) |
Calvin Thomas Stowe Brent (1854-1899) was an important American architect. Many people believe he was the first African-American to work as an architect in Washington, D.C.. He designed many buildings, especially churches and homes, that helped shape the city.
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About Calvin Thomas Stowe Brent
Calvin Thomas Stowe Brent was born in 1854 in Washington, D.C. His parents were John and Elizabeth Edmondson Brent. He was one of eight children. Calvin Stowe was likely named after Calvin Ellis Stowe, who was the husband of famous author Harriet Beecher Stowe.
His Family and Early Life
Calvin's father, John Brent, was born enslaved but worked hard to buy his freedom. He later got a government job. In 1847, his father started the John Wesley AME Zion Church and became its first pastor. He bought land in Washington, D.C., where he built the family home. This is where Calvin T.S. Brent was born. When he was young, Calvin enjoyed playing baseball.
Starting His Career
At age 19, Calvin Brent began learning about architecture by working for a firm called Plowman and Weightman. This was a very important step because it was the first time a Black architect was known to learn his skills from a white architect.
In 1875, he started his own architecture business. During his career, he worked on more than 100 projects across Washington, D.C. Most of his work happened between the mid-1880s and 1893. Building slowed down after 1893 because of an economic problem in the country.
Calvin Brent sometimes worked as both a builder and an architect. This meant he could offer more services to his clients. He got jobs from successful people like the Wormley family and Douglass Syphax. His father's church community also gave him many building projects.
Family Life and Legacy
In 1874, Brent married Albertine Jones. They had seven children together. One of their sons, John Edmonson Brent, also became an architect. John worked in Buffalo, New York and designed many projects, including an entrance court at the Buffalo Zoo.
After Albertine passed away, Calvin Brent married Laurelia Brown. Calvin Brent died suddenly on November 14, 1899, when he was 45 years old. He was buried in Harmony Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
His home at 1700 V Street, NW in Washington, D.C., is now part of the African American Heritage Trail. There is a special plaque there to remember him. In the early 1900s, Calvin Brent was seen as a great example for young African-American architects who wanted to follow in his footsteps.
Calvin Brent's Architectural Designs
Calvin Brent designed many important buildings in Washington, D.C.
Churches He Designed
One of his most famous projects was St. Luke's Episcopal Church at 15th and Church streets, NW. He is thought to have used plans from England for this building. St. Luke's was special because it was the first Episcopal Church for Black people that was completely independent from any white church. Construction of this Gothic-style church began in 1876 when Brent was only 22. Sadly, the church was damaged by fire in 1970, but its front part survived. In 1976, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Brent also designed other churches, including:
- The Fourth Metropolitan Baptist Church at 13th and R streets, NW. This was one of the largest African American churches in the city.
- Mount Jezreel Baptist at Fifth and E streets, SE.
- Miles Chapel at 1110 Third Street, NW (later called the Miles Memorial Colored Methodist Episcopal Church).
- Third Baptist Church at 1546 Fifth Street, NW.
Homes and Other Buildings
Many of Brent's buildings were later torn down when areas were redeveloped. However, the Mount Jezreel, Third Baptist, and St. Luke's churches are still standing. Also, 17 houses or groups of houses that Brent built are still there today. His homes were usually standard 2- or 3-story brick row houses, which were common in Washington, D.C., at that time.
He designed a group of houses that were rented out by the John Wesley African Episcopal Zion Church. He also built a row of nine buildings on Capitol Hill, which are still standing. Another group of ten houses he designed included a special corner house with towers built for his brother-in-law, Garrett Wormley. This house was even praised by the Washington Bee newspaper. Brent designed many homes on U and V streets in an area known as the "Strivers' Section" in NW Washington. Part of this area became a historic district in 1980.
Gallery
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Facade of St. Luke's Episcopal Church at 15th and Church streets, NW
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Third Baptist Church, 1546 Fifth Street, NW
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Facade of Church of the Resurrection on Capitol Hill, originally Mount Jezreel Baptist Church
See also
- Isaiah T. Hatton, another African American architect who worked in the D.C. area around the same time.
