St. Augustine's Episcopal Church (Gary, Indiana) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Augustine's Episcopal Church
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Viewed from the west
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 Location in Indiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | 2425 West 19th Ave., Gary, Indiana |
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| Built | 1958 |
| Architect | Edward D. Dart |
| Architectural style | Modern |
| NRHP reference No. | 13000758 |
| Added to NRHP | September 18, 2013 |
St. Augustine's Episcopal Church in Gary, Indiana, is a special church with a rich history. It's a historically black congregation, meaning it was started by and for African American people. The church building was finished in 1958. In 2013, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes important places that are worth protecting. A church member named Paula M. DeBois helped make this happen.
Contents
The Church's Story
Starting the Congregation
The St. Augustine's church community began in 1927. Thirty African American professionals started it as a "Colored Episcopal Mission." Their first home was an old Roman Catholic Mission building. It was located at 19th and Adams in the Midtown area of Gary. The very first service in their new, specially built church was held on May 8, 1959.
At first, the church had a tough time. Only seventeen people came to the first service. For the first ten years, they could only find part-time priests. In 1938, Bishop Campbell Gray asked Benedictine monks to help lead the church. They stayed until 1946. Later, in 1951, Rev. Wallace L. Wells became the new leader.
Growth and a New Building
During the 1950s, many African Americans moved to Gary. They were part of a movement called The Great Migration. They were looking for jobs and better opportunities. Many of these new families joined St. Augustine's. The church grew so much that by 1955, it needed a bigger space.
While looking for a pipe organ, the church leaders got a great idea. An organ salesperson suggested they ask Edward D. Dart to design a new building. Dart was a famous architect. He had designed many homes and one other church before St. Augustine's. It was very special that an African American church could hire a white architect like Dart. This was rare during a time when people were often kept apart by race, known as segregation.
Designing the Church
The church wanted a new building that cost about $120,000. They had $45,000 saved and received a $20,000 grant. Dart's first design was too expensive. It had fancy stained glass windows that cost $10,000 each! The church wanted something simpler. So, Dart created a second design. After years of talks, the church leaders finally agreed to it.
The new church building was finished in 1958. It was built at 19th and Ellsworth in the Tolleston part of Gary. The building quickly became famous. In 1960, it won awards from the American Institute of Architects and the Church Architectural Guild. Many magazines and newspapers, like the Chicago Tribune, wrote about its beautiful design. However, most articles did not mention that it was an African American church. Pictures often showed the building without any church members.
In 1961, St. Augustine's became a full parish. This happened two years after the new building was completed.
Pastors and Rectors
- Wallace Lewis Wells (1951–1963)
- Dr. Robert Earl Hood (1963–1967)
- William James Walker (1967–1968)
- Joseph W. Riggs (1970–1975)
- James Donald Manning (1978–1982)
- H. Fitz-Roy Henderson Thompson (1983–1989)
- David Lee Hyndman (1991–2018)
The Church Building
The church building was designed by the famous Mid-Century Modern architect Edward D. Dart in 1958. It won two awards soon after it was built. The church uses materials like Indiana limestone, wood, and beautiful stained glass windows.
St. Augustine's was the first building designed by Dart to be added to the National Register of Historic Places. It was listed on September 18, 2013. At that time, it was the only modern church in Gary built after World War II. The church also received a $2,000 grant from Indiana Landmarks. This money helps them keep the historic building in good condition.
