PRESERVATION Preservation Alliance MATTERS for greater philadelphia THE NEWSLETTER OF THE PRESERVATION ALLIANCE FOR GREATER PHILADELPHIA WINTER 2005 HONORING BLACK HISTORY MONTH of which there were six in 1813—were locat- ed in what is now Center City. Between 1830 and 1880 the African-American population of the city witnessed tremendous growth. By 1830 there were 10 African-American EXECUTIVE The African-American Churches. This number had grown to 18 by DIRECTOR’S 1857, with most still located in Center City in MESSAGE the immediate vicinity of Mother Bethel. But Church in Philadelphia by 1892 the number had risen to 28 and his issue of the newsletter, many were now located in the emerging new published during Black In recognition of the importance of the African-American church in the history of residential areas of West Philadelphia and in Philadelphia, the Preservation Alliance has begun work to create a Thematic National North Philadelphia, particularly along Ridge T History Month, draws Register Nomination of African-American churches. A National Register Thematic District Avenue, a growing center of business and attention to the African-American consists of a number of historic properties in different locations all of which are significant industry as a result of the extension of street- heritage in Philadelphia, an important for the same reason. car service. Also by 1892, the first black part of the history of Philadelphia that This effort to create a thematic district began with an historical research paper, Catholic Church—St Peter Claver—was is too often overlooked in historic “From Refuge to Strength: The Rise of the African-American church in Philadelphia, 1787 to founded. In fact, in the 1880s and 1890s more 1949,” prepared by Matthew S. Hopper. The following overview is adapted from Hopper’s black churches were constructed or pur- preservation efforts. paper, the full text of which is available on the Alliance’s website www.preservationalliance.com. chased in Philadelphia than ever before. It The African-American community was during this period that Mother Bethel has been a part of Philadelphia’s history hiladelphia has been a center built a new church, still in use today. Others from the very founding of the city. Too of African-American reli- built during this period and still in use gious activity for more than include St. Mary’s Episcopal Church on often the early role of the African- 200 years, and much of that Bainbridge near 18th Street, and Morris American community has been over- Phistory and tradition has Brown AME at 25th and Ridge Avenue. looked as a consequence of our failure been preserved in Philadelphia’s historic By 1923, the churches had followed the to recognize the contributions made by African-American religious buildings. growing black population of the city away Philadelphia’s first black churches emerged from the area around Mother Bethel to new those who were held in slavery. Some in the late 18th century as products of the concentrations south of Lombard west of recognition of this has begun to occur Christian sentiment of the city’s black lead- Broad Street, along Ridge Avenue, and in in discussions regarding a memorial ers, coupled with frustration with the other locations in North and West to those slaves owned by George hypocrisy of racism that black congregants Philadelphia. One of the outstanding build- experienced from predominantly white The original Mother Bethel AME Church ings of this period is Tindley Temple United Washington on the site of the house congregations. Philadelphia’s early Christian in the early nineteenth century (ABOVE) Methodist Church, at Broad and Fitzwater he occupied as President at 5th and leaders established churches that could serve and the monumental Tindley Temple streets. Occupying most of a full city block Market streets. as havens of refuge for the black popula- United Methodist Church (BELOW). and with an enormous sanctuary, Tindley The broad achievements of African- tion. These churches flourished in the early Temple stands today as a monument of 19th century, giving birth to offshoot churches that served as both African-American achievement in the first part of the 20th century. American’s in Philadelphia can be places of worship and community centers. The church buildings of African-American congregations in appreciated through the large number Architecturally, Philadelphia’s first black churches—Mother Philadelphia, both those that were built by black congregations and of historic markers that have been Bethel, founded by Richard Allen in 1794; St. Thomas Episcopal, those that were purchased, tell the stories of religious institutions that placed at various sites throughout the founded by Absalom Jones in 1794; and Zoar Methodist Episcopal, grew with their communities, relocated over time, and remained at the city. These are described in a wonderful founded in 1796—looked almost identical to St. George’s Methodist, heart of black social, political, and religious life through times of pros- the white church from which they arose. When each of these con- perity and despair. From their humble beginnings as havens of refuge publication produced by Charles gregations built a new church between 1880 and 1890 after growing to their growth into pillars of strength and centers of community Blockson in 1992 with the support of into large and prosperous religious institutions, they hired promi- organization, Philadelphia’s historic African-American churches have the William Penn Foundation. But nent white architects and chose building designs identical to those of left behind a powerful legacy for posterity to cherish and preserve. there are also many buildings still white congregations of the time. These churches saw their role as creating opportu- standing that give testimony to nities for congregants to have the same reli- African-American heritage. These gious experiences they were denied in white include the homes of distinguished churches, and for providing some social pro- people, including Paul Robeson whose grams. However, they were not seen as cen- ters to assert black rights or create move- house is described in the newsletter; ments of social protest. and the many, many extra- ordinary It was not until the end of the 19th century religious buildings that have been with the beginnings of the rapid influx of created by African-American congrega- black migrants from the south (1890 to 1910) that Philadelphia’s black churches adopted a tions beginning with Richard Allen and new role as social organizers and became cru- continuing up until the present day. cibles of protest within their black communi- The Alliance is pleased to acknowledge ties. In the 20th century, these churches devel- and honor this heritage as part of our oped into the leading organizational units for historic preservation mission in African-Americans in the city and adopted an aggressive stance against racial inequality. Philadelphia. The growth and location of African- JOHN ANDREW GALLERY American churches reflects the historic Executive Director growth of the city. The first black churches— WWW.PRESERVATIONALLIANCE.COM fall 2004 preservation matters 1 his passport. Robeson sued and the case went to the Supreme Court. After eight Paul Robeson House to be Restored years and an international outcry, his pass- port was returned. he Paul Robeson House in West Nate Clark, 1994 by UJMN Architects, replacing the existing During the 1960s and 1970s, dozens of Philadelphia is the recent recipient traveling exhibit that was never intended to prominent leaders and world-renown per- T of a restoration grant from a part- serve as a permanent exhibit in a residential formers visited the classic, 1911 row house nership between the National Trust for space. Architect Mark Ueland says “there is in the Walnut Hill community of West Historic Preservation, Save America's no lack of source materials for the exhibit”. Philadelphia. The Paul Robeson House was Treasures and Home & Garden Television. Finally, WPCA will re-locate its offices his last residence, and during the 10 years HGTV will showcase the Robeson House and new reception, lecture and exhibit that he lived here with his sister, ill and in during its 2005 TV season as one of twelve spaces, and public restrooms to the adjacent retirement after nearly two decades of of America's most important historic property (4949 Walnut) which will have an enforced silence and political persecution, places being restored. internal connection to the Robeson House. both he and his home became powerful The Robeson House (4951 Walnut Street) Paul Robeson was born in 1898, the son symbols of the African-American struggle is the last home of Paul Robeson, the legend- of Reverend William Drew Robeson and for equality and civil rights. ary African-American scholar, athlete, actor, Maria Louisa Bustill. Rev. Robeson as a singer and human rights activist. The house teenager escaped slavery on the Under- has been recognized as a National Historic ground Railroad, and later earned a theo- Landmark as well as an African-American logical degree, and used the pulpit to advo- Marian Anderson historic site and tourist destination of both cate for equal rights. national and international importance. Paul Robeson was renowned for his rich On February 3rd representatives from baritone voice, superb acting ability, and Stamp Issued HGTV, the National Trust, Save America’s passionate zeal for racial and human jus- arian Anderson is the latest Treasures and co-sponsor Urban Cableworks tice. He was a gifted student and athlete honoree in the Black Heritage of Philadelphia/Time Warner Cable will while attending Rutgers University in New M Series of 37-cent commemora- present Frances Aulston, executive director of Paul Robeson house 4951 Walnut Street. Jersey. He won honors in debating and ora- tive stamps issued by the U.S. Postal the Robeson House with a $100,000 check.