Washington Chapel C.M.E. Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Washington Chapel C.M.E. Church
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 Location in Missouri
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1137 West St., Parkville, Missouri |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1907 |
| Architect | Breen, Charles Patrick |
| Architectural style | Late Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 92001055 |
| Added to NRHP | August 31, 1992 |
The Washington Chapel C.M.E. Church is a special historic building located at 1137 West Street in Parkville, Missouri. It's a Christian Methodist Episcopal church that was built in 1907. The church is made of native limestone and has a unique Late Gothic Revival style. It features a cool corner tower that looks like a castle and has a gable roof.
This church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992, which means it's an important historical site.
A Church with a Rich History
Early Days in Platte County
When settlers first came to Platte County, Missouri, they brought enslaved African Americans with them. These people worked hard, especially growing hemp, which helped the area grow quickly. By 1860, almost a quarter of the people in Platte County were Black.
At that time, enslaved people were usually not allowed to gather, even for religious reasons. They could rarely become full members of White churches. Sometimes, Black worshippers had to sit in special "slave balconies" or separate sections of pews. If these options weren't available, they held services in cabins or outdoors, led by Black ministers.
The Start of Black Churches
Before slavery ended, free African Americans in the North began forming their own churches. This led to the spread of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1844, the Methodist Church split over the issue of slavery. In the North, Black people were allowed to create their own church groups. These churches offered a sense of freedom and respect that wasn't possible in White churches. Black churches became the heart of their communities, hosting many social activities.
At first, Black ministers preaching to Black congregations faced fear and suspicion. It was often against the law. For example, in 1854, two Black ministers were fined for preaching without a White officer present.
Forming the C.M.E. Church
After the Civil War, African American members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South were allowed to form their own separate church. In 1870, they created the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in Jackson, Tennessee. Today, it's known as the Christian Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) Church.
Reverend Arch Brown and Steven Carter traveled a long way from Leavenworth, Kansas, to attend the first C.M.E. conference in 1870. They represented a "colored church" in Parkville. When they returned, the Parkville church officially joined the C.M.E. group. It was said to be the second C.M.E. church in Missouri.
Finding a Home for the Congregation
From 1870 to 1877, the C.M.E. congregation held services in the basement of George Park's hotel. Angeline Rucker, who worked for George Park, and other church members used this space. The hotel was located near where the Spirit Fountain is today.
In 1877, the C.M.E. church moved to a brick building on Main Street. The church was growing fast, but the new space soon became too small and old. In 1886, the community tried to raise money to build a new church. They even bought the ruins of an old barn to use its strong timbers. However, raising enough money was hard, even though many Black residents worked at Park College.
Moving to West Street
According to stories passed down, the congregation moved again because White residents wanted Black people off Main Street. In 1905, Park College agreed to trade the church's lot on Main Street for a larger piece of land at 1137 West Street. This new location was near the Banneker School for Colored Children, in a part of Parkville called "The Hollow."
The land on West Street was four times bigger than the old church spot. It had originally been planned for an African American college, but that dream didn't happen. Park College loaned the church the money to buy the property, and the church paid it back over the years.
Some people, like history professor Dr. Westcott, believe the move wasn't just about race. They think it was also about creating a strong community hub around the Banneker School and the C.M.E. Church.
Building the Washington Chapel
Design and Construction
At some point, the C.M.E. Church was named after Willy and Angeline Washington. It's not completely clear who designed the church, but Howard McAfee from Park College was very involved. The building has a simpler version of the Late Gothic Revival style. Its impressive tower, which looks like a castle, makes the building seem tall and grand.
The church was built using native limestone, which came from the grounds of Park College and the hill where the church stands. Raising money for the church was a big effort, with special events at Park College and pledges from members. In 1905, Parkville citizens attended lectures to help raise funds for the new "Colored M.E. Church." People recognized the hard work and intelligence of the Black community in Parkville.
Charles "Pat" Patrick Breen, the Superintendent of Buildings at Park College, oversaw the construction. He worked with students and men from the church, showing his skill as a stonemason and his ability to teach. Breen was known for his quality craftsmanship, even though the Washington Chapel Church isn't always mentioned among his famous projects. Some believe this was due to racism at the time. In 2007, Parkville Mayor Kathryn Dusenbery called the Washington Chapel a "beautiful landmark."
Completion and Dedication
Construction continued until 1905. A parsonage (a house for the pastor) was also built nearby. Pastors and their families lived there, even though it didn't have indoor plumbing at first.
The new stone church was almost finished by October 1906. The congregation held its first service in the new building on February 24, 1907. It had oak pews made by Mr. Thad Ashby. The lower floor was designed for festivals and public gatherings, with a concrete floor. The Washington Chapel C.M.E. Church was officially dedicated on June 29, 1907, a date carved into its cornerstone.
Initially, the church had eighty members, with many pledging to give a tenth of their income to support it. Even when weekly donations were small, annual events could raise significant amounts of money.
Important Members and Leaders
Some of the first members of Washington Chapel C.M.E. Church included Andrew Jackson, Wade and Amanda Sanders, and Willy and Angeline Washington. Steven Carter, who traveled to Tennessee to get the church recognized, was also a member. Spencer Taylor Cave, an early member's son, became a beloved employee of Park College and helped others find jobs there. He was also the Superintendent of Sunday School at the church.
Leaders of the church often came from important African American families in Parkville. These families included the Carters, Caves, Boldens, Browns, and others. Reverends Yates and Anderson played key roles in both the church and in helping Park College become more integrated. Black students were allowed to attend classes at Park College as early as 1938, even if they couldn't get credit for them at first.
The loan from Park College was paid off over many years. In October 1951, the college officially transferred ownership of the property to the Washington Chapel Trustees.
Stained-Glass Windows
More beautiful stained-glass windows were installed in 1953. These windows have special dedications to groups like the "Community Youth Club" and "Willing Workers." They also honor important people like Mrs. Lucy Frazier, charter members, first stewards, and bishops. One window was dedicated "In Memory of Leonard Clayton," and others remember Alfred and Sarah Johnson, Vivian Cave Johnson, and Marian E. Brown.
A special stained-glass window from the original Park College Chapel, which had burned down, was installed in the church to honor Dr. John A. McAfee, the founder of Park College. His son, Howard McAfee, arranged this because his father had been a good friend to the congregation. Sadly, in January 2023, vandals broke this window and stole a piece with Dr. McAfee's name. Amazingly, the piece was returned before a "vigil of forgiveness" was held. Funds were raised in 2023 and 2024 to replace it.
A Community Hub
Church Activities and Impact
The Washington Chapel C.M.E. Church has always been a central place for Parkville's African American community. Since Black residents were often denied equal participation in the city, the church provided important leadership opportunities. It had various boards, choirs, Sunday school, and societies like the Missionary Society and the War Mothers and Wives.
Throughout the 1950s and 60s, the church held Vacation Bible School and Family Institutes. Many people still remember the annual Easter Breakfast, which started during the Great Depression, and the annual Thanksgiving dinner. Events like fish fries, pancake breakfasts, and the Homecoming Bazaar helped cover church expenses.
Famous visitors to the church included Shan Chi Chek's grandson and Alex Haley, the author of the novel Roots, who visited in the 1960s, 1977, and 1986. Lucille S. Douglass helped organize yearly celebrations for Martin Luther King's birthday. Foreign students from Park College, especially Japanese students, often joined worship services. The church also holds services to honor military veterans, which is still important today. Through all these activities, the church has left a lasting mark on the entire Parkville community.
Challenges and Restoration Efforts
After World War II, many African American service members moved to larger cities, causing church memberships in small towns to decline. This happened in Parkville as many Black families moved to Kansas City and other cities to escape discrimination.
In 1992, Lucille Sears Douglass, with help from the Daughters of the American Revolution, completed the application to list the church on the National Register of Historic Places. This important work helped preserve the church's history. Around 1992, an interior staircase was built so people on the first floor could easily reach the sanctuary on the second floor.
Around 2019, Lucille H. Douglass created a Facebook page for the church. Around the same time, the building's condition worsened, making it difficult to hold services and events there. Services stopped completely before the 2020 Pandemic, and members began traveling to St. James C.M.E. Church in Leavenworth, Kansas, to worship.
In 2023, Alcorama "Pearl" Douglass Spencer and Barbara Schell Luetke applied for a grant from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund. Washington Chapel was awarded a $160,000 grant to help with restoration. A Washington Chapel Restoration Committee was formed to work on the project. In 2024, the roof was replaced, and three bathrooms were remodeled to be accessible for people with disabilities.
Starting in February 2024, the inside of both floors of the building was taken apart for renovation. This work was led by a volunteer general contractor, Mike S., and a dedicated group of volunteers called "the Thursday Crew." These volunteers, including electricians, a plumber, and other workers, were found through a Kansas City group called Friends of Sacred Structures (FOSS). FOSS also donated money for electrical supplies.
Mike also found a volunteer architect and welder. He worked with city officials and the electrical company. As of August 2025, the building has new wiring and plumbing. A new cement floor has been poured, and the walls are framed and partly covered. There is still work needed on the bell tower, ceiling, and walls. New carpet is needed for the second floor, and three accessible bathrooms need to be finished. The redesigned kitchen needs appliances and cooking tools. A lift for the interior stairs is also needed.
Outside, the original brickwork and sidewalk need to be fixed, and a second entrance and sidewalk added. The exterior stairs and the top of the bell tower are made of a different stone that hasn't held up as well. The small, older congregation needs more help to finish all the work.
When the restoration is complete, the building will be available for the community to use. It will have a kitchen, a community room, and a classroom for meetings and educational purposes. It will also have Wi-Fi and video conferencing tools. Helping to restore Washington Chapel means providing a valuable community space in a part of Parkville that needs it.
Donations can be made to Washington Chapel CME Church 1137 West St. Parkville, Mo. 64152. You can also donate online at paypal.me/washchapel or Cashapp ($washchapel). Church members are available to speak to groups.
