Bethel A. M. E. Church - Indianapolis, Indiana - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

The Bethel A.M.E. church was founded in 1836 by William Paul Quinn and Augustus Turner and has played a significant role in the African-American community in Indianapolis since. Originally the small congregation met in Quinn's log cabin. As the congregation grew, a small church building was built in 1841 and by 1848 the congregation had 100 members. The church became involved antislavery movement and church was used to harbor fugitive slaves en-route to Canada as part of the Underground Railroad. The involvement of the church in the Underground Railroad was not viewed favorably by some members of the local community. It is viewed that some pro-slavery supporters were responsible for a fire which destroyed the earlier church building in 1862. The congregation persevered and rebuilt their church, the present building from 1867 through 1869. The bell tower and east-west gable addition were added in 1894 and a false facade was added in 1973. Following the Civil War the church continued its important role in the community by opening schools for African Americans throughout the city, and holding kindergarten within church. The church was also the location where other organizations were founded in the community including Indianapolis chapter of the NAACP and the Indiana State Federation of Colored Woman's Clubs. The church is viewed as the mother church for the A.M.E. churches throughout Indiana.

Street address: 414 W. Vermont St. Indianapolis, Indiana County / Borough / Parish: Marion Year listed: 1991 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Event Periods of significance: 1825-1849, 1850-1874, 1875-1899, 1900-1924, 1925-1949 Historic function: Religion Current function: Religion Privately owned?: yes Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Secondary Website 1: [Web Link] Season start / Season finish: Not listed Hours of operation: Not listed Secondary Website 2: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

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