Tolson's Chapel and School facts for kids
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Tolson's Chapel and School
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Tolson's Chapel, September 2012
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 Location in Maryland
Location in the United States
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| Location | 111 E. High St., Sharpsburg, Maryland |
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| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1866 |
| Architectural style | Single log pen |
| Part of | Sharpsburg Historic District (ID08001218) |
| NRHP reference No. | 08001012, 100006233 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 21, 2008 |
| Designated NHL | January 13, 2021 |
| Designated CP | December 24, 2008 |
Tolson's Chapel and School is a special historic building in Sharpsburg, Maryland. It was built in 1866, right after the American Civil War. This building was very important for African American people in Sharpsburg. It served as both a church and a school.
The school part was supported by the Freedmen's Bureau. This was a government agency that helped formerly enslaved people. Tolson's Chapel is now recognized as a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a very important place in American history.
What is Tolson's Chapel Like?
Tolson's Chapel is a small building made of logs. Its outside is covered with wooden boards. It has a pointed roof with a small bell tower on top. The main door has a window above it. There are also windows on the sides of the building.
Inside, the chapel has one main room. There are rows of benches, called pews, for people to sit on. At one end, there is a raised area with a pulpit, where the minister would speak. At the other end, there is a balcony for more seating. You can still see blackboards on some walls. These are reminders that the building was also used as a school.
A Place for Community and Learning
Local African Americans built Tolson's Chapel in 1866. They built it on land given by Samuel Craig, a free Black man from the area. The first minister was John Tolson, a Methodist minister. He traveled to many churches, including this one. The chapel was named after him when he passed away in 1870.
The chapel was used as a church for many years, well into the 1900s. It closed in 1994 because fewer people were attending. In 1998, it was officially no longer used as a church. A local group took over the building in 2000 to protect its history.
Besides being a church, the building was a busy community center. One of its most important roles was serving as a school. It educated African American children in the area. In 1868, the Freedmen's Bureau helped pay for teachers. This support lasted for a short time. Later, in 1872, Maryland passed a law. This law said that school districts needed schools for African American children. Tolson's Chapel was used as a school again until 1899.
See Also
