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 very old and important Christian Methodist Episcopal church in Parkville, Platte County, Missouri. It was built in 1907. This two-story building is made of local limestone and has a special style called Late Gothic Revival. It has a pointed roof, a tower that looks like a castle, and parts that stick out.
This church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. This means it's a special building that is important to the history of the United States.
Contents
A Look Back: The Church's Story
Early Days and Slavery
When white settlers came to Platte County, Missouri, after 1837, they brought enslaved people with them. These African Americans worked hard on farms, growing crops like hemp. By 1860, almost a quarter of the people in Platte County were Black.
During this time, enslaved African Americans were usually not allowed to be full members of white churches. Sometimes, they had to sit in separate areas or balconies. But many Black people also worshipped in their own ways, often in cabins or outside, led by Black ministers.
The Birth of Black Churches
Before slavery ended, free African Americans in the North started their own churches. These churches gave Black people a sense of freedom and respect they couldn't find in white churches. Religion became a very important part of their community life.
After the Civil War, in 1870, the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church was formed in Jackson, Tennessee. This church is now called the Christian Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) Church. It was created for African Americans who had been part of the Methodist Church.
Washington Chapel's Beginnings
In 1870, Reverend Arch Brown and Steven Carter traveled to Tennessee to attend the first C.M.E. conference. They represented a "colored church" in Parkville that had been started by Moses White. This Parkville church was one of the very first C.M.E. churches in Missouri.
From 1870 to 1877, the C.M.E. church members, including Angeline Rucker and Willy Washington, held their services in the basement of a hotel owned by George Park. This hotel was near the river in Parkville.
In 1877, the church moved to a brick building across the street. The church grew quickly, and by 1886, the members needed a bigger place. They even bought parts of an old barn to use for building their new church.
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 had traveled to Tennessee, was also a key member.
Building the Current Church
In 1905, Park College and the C.M.E. Church made a deal. The church traded its old lot for a larger piece of land at 1137 West Street. This new location was near the Banneker School, which was for African American children. People in the area called this neighborhood "the Hollow."
The new church building was finished in 1907. Park College loaned the church money to buy the land and build the new facility. The church paid back this loan over many years.
The design of the church is in a simpler version of the Late Gothic Revival style. It uses native limestone, which was taken from the ground around Park College and the hill where the church stands. Some Park College students helped with the building, but most of the work was done by the men of the church.
Charles "Pat" Patrick Breen, who was in charge of buildings at Park College, supervised the construction. He was known for his skill in stonework and for teaching students. The Washington Chapel C.M.E. Church is a great example of his work.
A Community Hub
The Washington Chapel C.M.E. Church quickly became the heart of Parkville's African American community. It was a place for spiritual life, social gatherings, and leadership. Even though Black residents faced challenges in the wider city, the church offered many opportunities for them to lead and participate.
The church held many activities, like Sunday School, choir practice, and missionary work. They also had Vacation Bible School and family events. People still remember the annual Easter Breakfast and Thanksgiving dinner, as well as fundraisers like fish fries and pancake breakfasts.
Famous people also visited the church. Alex Haley, the author of the novel Roots, visited several times. The church also honored veterans and welcomed foreign students from Park College, especially Japanese students, to their services.
Challenges and Restoration
After World War II, many Black families moved from small towns like Parkville to larger cities, seeking more opportunities and less discrimination. This caused the church's membership to decline.
In 1992, Lucille Sears Douglass did important research and helped get Washington Chapel C.M.E. Church listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This helped recognize its historical importance.
In recent years, the church building needed many repairs. Services stopped completely before 2020 because the building was not safe to use.
However, in 2023, the church received a large grant to help with restoration. This money is being used to fix the roof and build a new accessible bathroom. Many more repairs are still needed, including fixing the electricity, bell tower, walls, floors, and kitchen. The goal is to make the building usable again for religious services and community events.
The Washington Chapel C.M.E. Church stands today as a symbol of strength, faith, and community for African Americans in Parkville.
Images for kids
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Washington Chapel C.M.E. Church in Parkville, Missouri.
