Zion Baptist Church (Omaha, Nebraska) facts for kids
Zion Baptist Church is an important church located at 2215 Grant Street in the Near North Side area of Omaha, Nebraska. It is one of the oldest churches in Nebraska. For many years, the church and its members have played a big role in helping the community deal with difficult times, especially during periods of racial unfairness in Omaha.
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History of Zion Baptist Church
Early Beginnings (1884-1900s)
Zion Baptist Church was started in 1884. By the early 1900s, it had grown to be the largest African American church in Omaha. In 1888, the church officially became a recognized organization. This meant it could own property and operate formally. The people who helped make this happen were Dr. W. H. C. Stephenson, W. Whitefield, S. H. Baxter, G. W. Kellog, R. Plenix, G. Young, A. Chapman, and D. A. Thomas.
Building a New Home
The current church building was designed by a famous architect named Clarence W. Wigington. It was built after a big storm called the Easter Sunday Tornado of 1913. This tornado caused a lot of damage in Omaha. The new building showed the church's strength and hope after the disaster.
Helping the Community During Tough Times
Zion Baptist Church was very important in bringing people together. This was especially true before and after the Omaha Race Riot of 1919. During this difficult time, the local group of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) often met at the church. They asked local leaders to help stop the unfair treatment and violence against the community. Even though their efforts did not always succeed right away, the church remained a place of strength and hope.
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