Sharp Street Memorial United Methodist Church and Community House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Sharp Street Memorial United Methodist Church and Community House
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 Location in Baltimore
Location in Maryland
Location in the United States
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| Location | 508--516 Dolphin St. & 1206--1210 Etting St., Baltimore, Maryland |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1898 |
| Architect | Bieler, Alphonsus H.; Noel, Edgar M. |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Gothic Revival, Georgian Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 82004749 |
| Added to NRHP | July 21, 1982 |
The Sharp Street Memorial United Methodist Church and Community House is a historic United Methodist church located in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a very old and important building that has played a big role in the history of African Americans in Maryland. People sometimes call it the "Mother Church" of Black Methodism in Maryland.
Contents
A Look at the Church Building
The main church building was finished in 1898. It is a large stone structure built in the Gothic Revival style. This means it has features like tall, pointy roofs called gables. It also has a square bell tower that stands 85 feet high. The windows are tall and narrow, known as lancet windows. Inside, you can see many decorative details that also follow the Gothic style.
The Community House
Next to the church is the Community House. This building was constructed later, in 1921. It is made of brick and has four stories. Its design is influenced by the Georgian Revival style, which is a classic and formal look.
A History of Importance
The church's group of followers first came together in 1787. This makes it one of the oldest African American churches in the United States. It became very important in the fight for freedom for enslaved people before the American Civil War.
Supporting Education and Rights
After slavery was ended, the church helped to create the very first school for Black children in Baltimore. This school was called the African Academy. The church also played a key role in helping to establish and grow African American Methodist churches across the state.
A Meeting Place for Change
In its early years, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) held many of its meetings at this historic church. The NAACP is a famous organization that works for civil rights and equality for African Americans. This shows how important the Sharp Street Memorial United Methodist Church was for social change.
National Recognition
Because of its long history and important role, the Sharp Street Memorial United Methodist Church and Community House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. This means it is recognized as a place that is important to the history of the United States.
See also
- African Academy and Sharp Street Methodist Church (1797–1898)
