St. Paul's African Methodist Episcopal Church (Urbana, Ohio) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Paul AME Church
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Front and side of the church
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | 316 E. Market St., Urbana, Ohio |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1876 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Mid 19th Century Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 97000954 |
| Added to NRHP | September 5, 1997 |
The St. Paul's African Methodist Episcopal Church is a special old church located in Urbana, Ohio, United States. It was built in 1876 and has a classic Greek Revival style. This church is home to a group of people who have been worshipping together since the mid-1820s.
Contents
The Church's History
How the Church Began
Some of the first Black people living in Urbana had been part of African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) churches in the eastern United States. Around 1824 or 1825, a missionary named Moses Freeman visited Urbana. He met these former A.M.E. members and helped them start their own church group. There were eight original members who began this new church.
In the very first years, the members met in each other's homes. They did not have enough money to build their own church building yet.
Building the First Churches
Once the church group grew stronger, they were able to build a small church out of logs. But soon, more people joined, and this log church became too small. So, in 1844, they tore it down. The church members then built a bigger church using bricks.
Over time, this brick church also became too small for everyone. So, in 1866, the members started building the church you see today.
Important Leaders
Two important ministers led the church. One was Jerry Thompson. Even though he could not read or write, he was a very powerful preacher. He was known for his passionate sermons in the church's early years.
Another important leader was Benjamin W. Arnett. He became the pastor in 1876. Besides serving at St. Paul's, he also led churches in other Ohio cities like Cincinnati, Columbus, and Toledo. Arnett became very famous after his time in Urbana. In 1886, he was a state representative in Ohio. He worked hard to get rid of laws called "black codes." These laws had limited the rights of Black people.
Today, St. Paul's is still an active church. It continues to be a part of the A.M.E. Church.
The Church Building
Building Details
Building the current church took a long time. Work started in 1866, but it was not finished until after Benjamin Arnett became the pastor in 1876. This church is mostly made of masonry, which means it uses bricks and stone. Its base is made of brick, and its walls are brick covered with stucco. The roof is made of asphalt and has a pointed shape called a gable. Many windows with multiple glass panes let light into the church.
Historic Recognition
In 1997, St. Paul's Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historic site. It was honored for its role in local history and for its beautiful old architecture.
