MIDDLE STREET CARPENTER GOTHIC – This wood frame church at 205 Middle Street is purportedly the oldest surviving African-American church building in New Bedford. Among its early ministers was the Reverend William Jackson, a chaplain of the famed 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The building was erected in 1858 at the height of the whaling era as the Salem Baptist Church. At the turn of the century, it became the Elm Baptist Church, serving many Scandinavians immigrants. It continues as a house of worship. Then as now, it retains many of its architectural features, including its elegant Gothic style windows. (NBWM # 2000.100.85.85) For more Museum photos: flickr/photos/nbwm
Posted on: Sun, 30 Nov 2014 11:30:00 +0000
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