Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Signed Minutes - October 19, 2020

Home Browse Search

forwarded to the Indiana Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology for further review, followed by consideration of the nomination by the Indiana Historic Preservation Review Board. PUBLIC DISCUSSION IN FAVOR: Mr. Grayson Warren Jr., (1939 North Johnson Street) stated that first went to the congregation when he was eight when it was on Monroe, and formally joined the congregation when he was twelve. He has been a member for sixty-eight years, and it has been a cornerstone of his life. Many members of his family were gladly members of the church. His father joked that they attended the church "because they got out earlier." Mr. Warren has been active in the church in a number of different roles, including a trustee and steward. The church has helped a lot of young people become good citizens, but unfortunately some of those people leave South Bend and do not come back. He is truly honored to be a part of Olivet. Carol Powell (4902 Craig Road), has long been active with Olivet, and was drawn to it because of its work with children. She stressed that we need more organizations that do what Olivet does to help the community. A retired school teacher, she remembered a time when children would go from the schools to Olivet, and she wished that would happen again. Alma Powell (52095 Carriage Hills Drive), wanted to express how elated they were to be the first African American church in South Bend, to be hosted in that church, and to hear the Notre Dame Architectural students talk about the architectural features of their building, which made the congregation think about their building in a different way. The building is historic, and the congregation is historic. Administrator Elicia Feasel read into record two letters of support: Farrow Powell Family (Sandra J. Haines, Cecelia Newkirk, John Charles Bryant, and others), "The Farrow Powell family members are in favor of Olivet African Methodist Church to be a part of the National Register of Historical places. We feel, as a family, it is an honor to be a part of this decision. We are concerned about the correct language and want to see everything in place." Todd Zeiger, Director, Indiana Landmarks Northern Regional Office (801 West Washington Street): "Dear members of the Commission, I am writing today to express support for and encourage the recognition of the Lowell Heights -Olivet A.M.E. nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. The site is an important architectural landmark in the northeast neighborhood of South Bend with significant cultural connections to the history of South Bend's African American residents. I have had the pleasure of assisting the efforts of the congregation for the past several years. Indiana Landmarks has provided funding from our African American Landmarks Grant fund to assist with the cost of the nomination and needed repairs to the building. Recently, Olivet A.M.E. received a significant grant from the Central Indiana Community Foundation's Standiford H. Cox Fund which supports the restoration, preservation, operation and ongoing maintenance of African American historic sites in Indiana. The receipt of these grants underscores the importance of this site to the African American community. It is important to not only recognize the architectural merit of this place but as importantly its place in the cultural history of the site. Culturally, founders of the Olivet A.M.E. include St. Joseph County's first African American settlers and include leaders in the African American community through the present day. It is remarkable that Olivet has now owned, cared for and been identified by a historic building longer than the congregation which constructed it. Today we are aware of the need to identify and recognize a more complete representation of our architectural heritage. The National Register nomination that is before you is an excellent opportunity to recognize the builders of this building and its architectural merit. More importantly though is the opportunity to recognize the cultural importance of the congregation and the role of this site in the history of the African American community of South Bend." PUBLIC DISCUSSION IN OPPOSITION: N/A