St. John's African Methodist Episcopal Church (Norfolk, Virginia) facts for kids
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St. John's African Methodist Episcopal Church
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St. John's African Methodist Episcopal Church, September 2013
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 539-545 E. Bute St., Norfolk, Virginia |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1888 |
| Architect | Cassell, Charles M. |
| Architectural style | Romanesque, Richardsonian Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 86003441 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 4, 1986 |
St. John's AME Church is a very old and important church in Norfolk, Virginia. It was started in 1840. This makes it the first African American Episcopal Church in all of Virginia! The church moved to its current spot on East Bute Street in 1848. This area is now known as Downtown Norfolk.
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Discover St. John's AME Church
The church building you see today was finished in 1888. It is made of red bricks. The building has a special look called the Richardsonian Romanesque style. This style often uses heavy stone and round arches.
What Does the Church Look Like?
St. John's AME Church has a large, heavy roof made of slate. It also has two tall towers on each side. Right in the middle, there's a stone entrance. This main entrance is built from light grey stone. It has two big openings with rounded arches, like something you might see in an old Roman building.
Inside, the church has a very large main worship area. There is also a balcony shaped like a horseshoe. This huge space can hold up to 1,500 people!
The Parsonage Building
Next to the church, there is another important building called the parsonage. This is where the church's minister used to live. It is a brick house with two and a half stories. The parsonage has a simpler style, but it still adds to the church's history.
A Historic Landmark
Because of its long history and unique architecture, St. John's AME Church is very special. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. This means it is recognized as an important historical site in the United States.
