Green Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Green Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church
|
|
Green Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church
|
|
 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 46 Sheridan St., Portland, Maine |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1914 |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000115 |
| Added to NRHP | January 17, 1973 |
The Green Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church is a very old and important church in Portland, Maine. It was built in 1914. This church is special because it is home to Maine's oldest group of African-American churchgoers. The church is named after Moses Green. He was a brave person from Portland who escaped slavery. This historic building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. This means it is recognized as a very important place in American history.
Contents
About the Church Building
The Green Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church is in Portland's eastern Munjoy Hill area. You can find it at the corner of Sheridan and Monument Streets. It is a two-and-a-half-story building. It is made from concrete blocks. The outside has a rough, textured finish. The corners of the building have smooth blocks.
Windows and Entrance
The windows on the first floor are rectangular. The windows on the second floor have pointed arches. These are called Gothic lancet arches. They are made of beautiful stained glass. The main entrance is near the street corner. It has a small wooden porch with a sloped roof. A short wooden tower rises from the roof above the entrance.
History of the Congregation
The church's story began long ago. The Abyssinian Society of Portland started in 1828. This group first met in the Abyssinian Meeting House. This is one of the oldest African-American churches still standing in the country.
A New Beginning
Later, a different group of African-American churchgoers formed. They were called the Fourth Abyssinian. This group split from the Second Parish Church in 1835. They joined with the Abyssinian Society in 1842. The Green Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church was built for this group in 1914. At the time, people said it was one of the most impressive churches for a Black congregation in New England.
The Church Choir
The church is well-known for its amazing choir. In 1998, the Green Memorial choir joined with another choir. They formed the Maine Gospel Choir. They performed a musical called The Movement, Revisited. This musical was about the fight for equal rights in the 1960s. This fight is known as the Civil Rights Movement.
Honoring Lives Lost
In 2015, the choir performed at a special service. This service was held at Merrill Auditorium in Portland. It honored the people who lost their lives in the Charleston church shooting. This was a very sad event at a historically Black church. The pastor of Green Memorial, Kenneth Lewis, helped organize this memorial service.
See also
