Wallace Rayfield facts for kids
Wallace Augustus Rayfield (born around May 10, 1874, in Macon, Georgia – died February 28, 1941) was a very important African American architect. He was one of the first African Americans to be formally trained in architecture in the United States.
Wallace Rayfield's Journey to Architecture
Wallace Rayfield grew up in Macon, Georgia. After his mother passed away, he moved to Washington, D.C. There, he started learning about architecture by working at an architectural company. This is called being an apprentice.
While working, he also studied at Howard University. Later, he earned a special certificate from Pratt Institute. In 1899, he finished his studies and got his bachelor's degree in architecture from Columbia University.
After he graduated, a famous educator named Booker T. Washington asked him to come to Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. Wallace Rayfield became the head of the Architecture and Mechanical Drawing Department there.
In 1907, Wallace Rayfield opened his own office in Tuskegee. He started selling building plans by mail to people all over the country. He also had "branch offices" in several cities. These included Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile, and Talladega, Alabama. He also had offices in Atlanta, Savannah, Macon, and Augusta, Georgia.
In 1908, he left Tuskegee Institute and moved to Birmingham. He wanted to focus more on his own architecture business. He was chosen to be the main architect for the Freedmen's Aid Society. He also became the architect for the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.
Amazing Buildings Wallace Rayfield Designed
Wallace Rayfield designed many important buildings across the United States. Here are some of his notable works:
- 16th Street Baptist Church, Birmingham, Alabama, 1911
- People's A.M.E. Zion Church, Syracuse, New York, 1911
- T.C. Windham Construction Company Office Building, Birmingham, Alabama, 1912
- Alabama Penny Savings Bank/Pythian Temple, Birmingham, 1913 (he might have designed this one)
- 32nd Street Baptist Church, Birmingham, 1924
- 6th Avenue Baptist Church, Birmingham
- Trinity Baptist Church, Birmingham
- Harmony Street Baptist Church, Birmingham
- Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church, Birmingham
- Ebenezer Baptist Church, Chicago, Illinois
- St Paul's Episcopal Church, Batesville, Arkansas
- Trinity Building, South Africa
- Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Pensacola, Florida
- Morning Star Baptist Church, Demopolis, Alabama
- Marlinton Methodist Church, Marlinton, West Virginia
- Marlinton Presbyterian Church, Marlinton, West Virginia
- Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church, Milton, Florida
- Madame Clisby Residence, Birmingham
- Dr A. M. Brown Residence, Birmingham
- R. A. Blount Residence, Birmingham
- Rocky Springs Presbyterian Church, Laurens, SC
- First Missionary Baptist Church, Decatur, AL
- Pythian Temple Building, Cotton Avenue, Macon, Georgia
- St. Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church, Birmingham, Alabama
Other Important Architects
- Robert Robinson Taylor: He was the very first professionally trained African American architect in the United States.
- William Sidney Pittman and Vertner Tandy: These architects were students of Wallace Rayfield.
