H. C. Keck House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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H. C. Keck House – Mount Olivet Parsonage
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The house in 2009
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 Location in the United States
Location in Oregon
Location in Portland, Oregon
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| Location | 53 NE Thompson Street Portland, Oregon |
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| Area | 0.17 acres (0.069 ha) |
| Built | 1899 |
| Built by | Henry C. Keck |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| MPS | Eliot Neighborhood MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 02001124 |
| Added to NRHP | October 10, 2002 |
The H. C. Keck House, also known as the Mount Olivet Parsonage, is a special old building. It is located in the Eliot neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. A German American carpenter named Henry C. Keck built it in 1899.
This house shows how the area called Albina grew with European families. It is also a great example of the Queen Anne building style from that time. Later, in 1929, the Mount Olivet Baptist Church bought the house. They used it as their parsonage, which is a home for the church's leader.
Two important leaders in the early civil rights movement lived here. They were Rev. Jonathan L. Caston (from 1929 to 1932) and Rev. J. James Clow (from 1936 to 1963). The house was moved twice to keep it safe. It was first moved in 1929 when the church bought it. Then, it was moved again in 2001 to save it from being torn down. In 2002, the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is officially recognized as an important historic site.
The H. C. Keck House: A Historic Home
The H. C. Keck House is a two-story wooden house. It was built in 1899 by Henry C. Keck. He was a skilled carpenter from Germany. The house shows the popular Queen Anne style of architecture. This style often has towers, fancy porches, and different textures on the outside.
A Home for Church Leaders
Over time, more African American families moved into the Albina area. The Mount Olivet Baptist Church became an important part of the community. In 1929, the church bought the H. C. Keck House. They made it the parsonage, a home for their pastor.
Two of the pastors who lived in the house were very important. Rev. Jonathan L. Caston and Rev. J. James Clow were leaders in the civil rights movement. This movement worked to gain equal rights for all people. Their time living in the house made it a special place in Portland's history.
Moving the House to Save It
The H. C. Keck House has been moved more than once. The first time was in 1929, when the church bought it. This was part of making it the parsonage. Later, in 2001, the house faced a threat. It was going to be torn down. To save this historic building, it was moved again. This helped protect it for future generations.
In 2002, the house was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history.
