Leadenhall Street Baptist Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Leadenhall Street Baptist Church
|
|
Leadenhall Street Baptist Church,
December 2011 |
|
 Location in Baltimore
Location in Maryland
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 1021-1023 Leadenhall Street, Baltimore, Maryland |
|---|---|
| Area | 0.2 acres (0.081 ha) |
| Built | 1873 |
| Architect | Thomas, Joseph, & Son |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival architecture |
| NRHP reference No. | 79003218 |
| Added to NRHP | March 16, 1979 |
The Leadenhall Street Baptist Church is a very old church in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. It's a special place for Baptists, a type of Christian church. This historic building was built in 1873. It was made for African American Baptists who lived in the "Sharp-Leadenhall" area of South Baltimore. This neighborhood is close to Baltimore's famous Inner Harbor.
Contents
About the Church
A Look at the Building
The church building is made of brick and has a rectangular shape. It has a pointed roof, which is called a gable-front. The design uses simple details from the Renaissance Revival style. This style looks back to old European art and buildings.
Over the years, the outside walls have been covered. The front of the church has a material called formstone. Other parts are covered with stucco. You can see beautiful round-arched stained glass windows on the sides of the church.
A Historic Neighborhood
The "Sharp-Leadenhall" neighborhood is named after two streets that cross each other. It's just west of the Federal Hill area. Federal Hill is a famous spot where people celebrated in 1788. This was after Maryland approved the new U.S. Constitution.
The Civil War in Baltimore
During the Civil War, Federal Hill became important. Union Army troops built defenses there. They watched over Baltimore, as some citizens supported the Southern states. In April 1861, a riot happened in Baltimore. People attacked Union troops passing through the city. These troops were on their way to protect Washington, D.C., the nation's capital. The church is located near the Camden Street Station, a major train stop during that time.
Life in Sharp-Leadenhall
The "Sharp-Leadenhall" neighborhood was one of the first in Baltimore to have many African American residents. In the late 1800s, Baltimore had the largest free Black population in America. Before this time, many free Black citizens lived mixed with white people. They often lived on smaller streets and alleys. They worked in homes and businesses of the white population. Later, more free Black people moved to other areas, like what is now known as Upton.
A Place of Worship and Community
The Leadenhall Street Baptist Church was built and funded by the Maryland Baptist Union Association. This group was mainly for African American Baptists. They had generally separated from white Baptists. In earlier times, during the 1700s and early 1800s, Black and white Baptists sometimes worshipped together. However, Black worshippers often sat in separate areas.
This church is the second oldest Black church building in Baltimore. It has been home to one of the city's largest African American church groups. Another important church nearby was the Sharp Street Methodist Church. Both churches played a big role in Baltimore's growing African American community.
Protecting History
National Recognition
The Leadenhall Street Baptist Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. This is a list of important historic places in the United States. It helps protect buildings and sites that are special to American history. The National Park Service manages this list.
Baltimore's Heritage Area
Much of downtown Baltimore and its nearby historic neighborhoods are now part of the Baltimore City National Heritage Area. This area helps people learn about the city's past. There are special signs on the streets with pictures, maps, and information about historic sites. These signs also highlight the African American heritage in areas like "Sharp-Leadenhall" and "Upton/Druid Hill." They point out the Leadenhall Church and many other important Black churches and institutions.
