8 replies to this topic

[John S.]

Hi All,

My son drove by Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church at 116 Elm this weekend and noted East 1st. street (on the south side of the structure) was closed due to bricks from the tower having fallen to the sidewalk and street. A subsequent personal look at it showed a distinct separation of brick courses on the southwest corner of the bell tower indicating a potential collapse of the tower structure. Allen Chapel is a rare survivor from a prominent early African American community in Fort Worth that existed east of Commerce street between East First and East Forth. A few old houses remain in the area including one from the 1890's that was restored within the newer Hillside Apartments development. The old (Black) Knights of Pythias building and a couple of other early Black Churches still standing nearby suggest this was a fairly large and relatively prosperous community at one time. Allen Chapel A.M.E. is significant because it was designed by William Sidney Pittman, an African-American architect, in 1912, and construction was completed by 1914. Few African American architects practiced in Jim-Crow era Texas during those days. The historic Church received a Registered Texas Historic Landmark plaque and designation in 1983. I hope the current small church community utilizing the historic Church building can find the resources to make appropriate and immediate repairs to this landmark structure. It's loss would leave a huge gap in the history and heritage of the African American community in our city.

[JBB]

WFAA ran a couple of stories this weekend. The damage was the result of a lightning strike on Friday night.

[Birdland in Handley]

This building is a big part of FW history, and a pretty cool old limestone buiding. How can we help?

[John S.]

Hard to say what is going on but further dismantlement of the brick Bell tower has taken place in recent days. A large pile of bricks is neatly stacked in the Church parking lot so hopefully, repairs are pending soon.

[renamerusk]

This building is a big part of FW history, and a pretty cool old limestone buiding. How can we help?

One might consider contacting Methodist foundations and organizations based here in Fort Worth.


Two of them are located on Bailey Avenue in the Monticello Neighborhood. The Texas Methodist Foundation and the Central Texas Conference of UMC -

The Central Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church

[John T Roberts]

On August 24, 2023, Historic Fort Worth, Inc. held a tour of the church.  These are a few of the photographs that I took.

 

Exterior:

allenchapel-2023 by jtrobert, on Flickr

 

The Sanctuary is rather unusual in that you enter on each side of the pulpit. 

allenchapel-int1 by jtrobert, on Flickr

 

allenchapel-int6 by jtrobert, on Flickr

 

allenchapel-int4 by jtrobert, on Flickr

 

allenchapel-int5 by jtrobert, on Flickr

 

Here are a couple of the stained glass windows:

allenchapel-int2 by jtrobert, on Flickr

 

allenchapel-int3 by jtrobert, on Flickr

[Stadtplan]

I like the pipe organ. Did they mention if it is in working condition? I know those can be a bear to keep up with.

[rriojas71]

That is an awesome sanctuary.  I need to stop by sometime.  Thanks for sharing John.

[John T Roberts]

Nitixope, the pipe organ works, somewhat.  They said it needed some repairs. 

 

Rriojas71, it is a beautiful sanctuary, and the Murrin Family is going to be involved in helping the church.