Charles Street African Methodist Episcopal Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Charles Street African Methodist Episcopal Church
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Boston, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1888 |
| Architect | J. Williams Beal; Multiple |
| Architectural style | Tudor Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 83000601 |
| Added to NRHP | September 1, 1983 |
The Charles Street African Methodist Episcopal Church is a very old and important church in Boston, Massachusetts. You can find it at 551 Warren Street. The building you see today was built in 1888. It was designed by J. Williams Beal. This church is so special that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
Contents
Church History: A Journey Through Time
Early Days: Starting Strong (1833-1876)
The Charles Street African Methodist Episcopal Church began in November 1833. Reverend Noah Caldwell started it on Belknap Street in Beacon Hill. By 1838, the church had only 35 members. Nine of them asked the state of Massachusetts to make their church official.
On January 28, 1839, the state agreed. They officially recognized the church as the First A.M.E. Society Church. By 1840, their group had grown to 45 members.
In July 1843, Reverend Henry J. Johnson became their first permanent pastor. In May 1844, the church bought a building on Anderson Street. This was also in Beacon Hill. The church stayed there until 1876.
During the time before the Civil War, this church was a hub for important meetings. Many people who wanted to end slavery gathered here. Famous speakers like William Lloyd Garrison and Frederick Douglass spoke at these meetings. They helped raise money for the anti-slavery movement.
After 1850, the church faced some tough times. Membership went down. Also, the church had a lot of bills from buying their new building. After the Civil War ended, the church got help. They were able to pay off all their debts.
Growing and Moving: A New Chapter (1876-1939)
After the Civil War, Boston's Black population grew a lot. This meant more people joined the A.M.E. church. It became the largest Black church in Boston. In 1876, the church needed more space. They bought the Charles Street Meeting House. This building was on Mr. Vernon and Charles Street.
Buying this new building put the church in debt. They owed over $32,000. But help was on the way. In 1880, Reverend John T. Jennifer came to lead the church. He was a powerful speaker. He helped the church grow from 260 members in 1881 to 375. By 1886, he had raised $48,000 for the church. He often spoke about important topics like civil rights. When he left in 1886, only $9,000 of the debt remained. By 1890, the Charles Street Church had over 500 members.
Towards the end of the 1890s, things changed again. Many Black families on Beacon Hill started moving. They moved to the South End and lower Roxbury. This caused church membership to slowly go down. In 1920, the City of Boston decided to make Charles Street wider. The church decided it was time to move.
The church raised money for a new home. In April 1938, they voted to move. Their new location was the St. Ansgarius building in Roxbury. This building was also built in 1888. In May 1939, the church moved. It was the last Black organization to leave Beacon Hill. The church kept its original name. This move showed how Boston's Black population was shifting. The church is now at 551 Warren Street. The area around it has many old, beautiful houses.
Church Design: A Look at the Building
J. Williams Beal was the main architect for the Charles Street Church. He also designed other important buildings in Boston. Beal studied at MIT and was very good at using concrete in his designs. Other people who helped build the church were Alfred Bright, the mason, and Melzar W. Allen, the carpenter.
The church building has an L-shape. It still looks much like it did when it was built. It has a tall, square tower with a pointed roof. You can even see gargoyles on top! The church's parish house has gables and a large chimney. Many of the original windows are still there. These include two small windows near the altar. There are also three windows showing St. Cecilia, St. Elizabeth, and Mary. John LaFarge, a famous artist, designed some of the stained glass windows. He also designed windows for Trinity Church in Boston.
Inside the church, there were many special items. These included a clock made by East Howard Tower. There was also a bell made by Henry McShane and Company. A large organ by Hook and Hastings was once there, but it has been taken apart. A special "eagle lectern" was carved from cypress wood. This lectern is no longer in the church.
The outside of the church has changed very little. The old red and blue slate roof was replaced with a new one. A glass entrance was added to the front hall. Inside, some rooms have been covered with new walls and panels.
Current Use: A Lively Community
The church's spiritual life became very strong when Reverend Gregory Groover arrived in 1994. He has started many new programs. These programs help both the church members and the wider community.
See also
- Charles Street Meeting House, Beacon Hill (occupied by the A.M.E. congregation 1876-1939)
- National Register of Historic Places listings in southern Boston, Massachusetts
