Snyder Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Snyder Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church
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![]() Snyder Methodist Church
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Location | Jacksonville, Florida |
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Built | 1902-03 |
Architect | J. H. W. Hawkins |
Architectural style | Late Gothic Revival Style |
NRHP reference No. | 13000065 |
Added to NRHP | March 13, 2013 |
The Snyder Memorial Methodist Church is a very old and important church building in Jacksonville, Florida. It was first known as Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. This historic church was built in 1903. You can find it at 226 North Laura Street in Duval County. It stands on the famous corner of Laura and Monroe streets.
The church group, called Snyder Memorial Methodist, started way back in 1870. Their first church building was destroyed in a big fire in 1901, called the 1901 Jacksonville Fire. So, they built this new church on the very same spot. J. H. W. Hawkins was the architect who designed this beautiful building. The new church was named Snyder Memorial to honor a past leader, E.B. Snyder. His children helped pay for the church to be rebuilt. Later, the City of Jacksonville bought the church. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 13, 2013. After being closed for about ten years, it became a special stop on the monthly Downtown Jacksonville Art Walk.
About the Church Building
The Snyder Memorial Church was built in a style called Gothic Revival architecture. This means it looks like old European churches with pointed arches and tall windows. It cost $31,000 to build, which was a lot of money back then! The church is made from strong granite and Indiana limestone. It has a cool bell tower with a special top that looks like a castle wall. There is also a beautiful round window, called a rose window, that looks out over James Weldon Johnson Park. The City of Jacksonville now owns this historic building.
Its Role in History
The church was also important in the history of civil rights in Jacksonville. It was a place where people met to talk and work things out after a difficult event called Ax Handle Saturday. These meetings helped the community discuss important issues and find solutions together.