Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutLowell Heights-Olivet African Methodist Episcopal Church_Staff ReportCERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT STAFF REPORT ON THE NOMINATION OF LOWELL HEIGHTS - OLIVET AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH TO THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES HISTORIC NAME OF PROPERTY: Lowell Heights Methodist Episcopal Church ADDRESS: 719 North Notre Dame Avenue, South Bend, Indiana 46617 BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION: Beginning on the northwest corner of Notre Dame Avenue and Almond Court, face west and follow a line with the north side of Almond Court approximately 111’ to the southwest corner of the property at 719 Notre Dame Avenue. Turn north and follow a line 112’ to the northwest corner of 719 Notre Dame Avenue, then turn east and follow a line 111’ to the west side of Notre Dame Avenue. Turn north and follow a line with the west side of Notre Dame Avenue approximately 112’ to its intersection with Almond Court, or the place of beginning. The property is generally identified as Lots 2, 3, and 4, of W. A. Bugbee’s 1st Addition and includes the east half of a vacated alley along the west side of the property. DATE OF STAFF REVIEW: September 21, 2020 CASE HISTORY: A determination of eligibility was conveyed in January 2020. Kurt West Garner, on behalf of the owner, Olivet A.M.E. Church, submitted a nomination for listing of the Lowell Heights Methodist Episcopal Church located in South Bend, Indiana, to the National Register of Historic Places to the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend & St. Joseph County on May 27, 2020. In preliminary staff review of the submission, and following comments and remarks at the Historic Preservation Commission meeting on September 21, 2020, staff recommended to Mr. Garner that additional consideration be given to inclusion of Olivet A.M.E. in the historic name of the site as well as nomination of the site under Criteria A and C to recognize the cultural impact of the congregation as well as the architectural importance of the building. Mr Garner submitted a revised nomination. The nomination has been reviewed by staff and is formally submitted for public hearing at the October 19, 2020 Historic Preservation Commission meeting. CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION: In order to be considered eligible for inclusion in the National Register, an historic property should be at least 50 years old and must possess local, state, or national significance in relation to at least one of the following criteria: Criterion A is associated with the events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or Criterion B is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or Criterion C embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack individual distinction; or Criterion D has yielded, or is likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history. Ordinarily, cemeteries, birthplaces, graves of historical figures, properties owned by religious institutions or used for religious purposes, structures which have been moved from their original locations, reconstructed historic buildings, properties commemorative in nature, and properties which have received significance within the last 50 years, shall not be considered eligible for the National Register. However, such properties will qualify if they are integral parts of historic districts which meet the criteria or if they fall within the categories established by the National Park Service as Criteria Consideration/Exemptions. EVALUATION OF THE NOMINATION: Staff has reviewed the nomination and associated materials as provided by Kurt West Garner. The initial application for the Lowell Heights Methodist Episcopal Church in South Bend, Indiana, was applicable for Criteria C. Upon preliminary review of the submission and public comments, staff determined Criteria A to be applicable, recommending a revision and hyphenated name. As revised, the Lowell Heights – Olivet African Methodist Episcopal Church meets Criteria A for events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of history. Specifically, the church became the home of the Olivet African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1969 and is the oldest African American congregation in South Bend. The year of construction in 1923, and 1971, the year the Olivet African Methodist Episcopal congregation celebrated its centennial at the church after it became their home in 1969, makes up the period of significance. Criteria C is met for embodying the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack individual distinction. The church was constructed in 1923 for the congregation of Lowell Heights Methodist Episcopal Church in the Late Gothic Revival style and designed by Frank G. Dillard, the denomination’s architect for their regional office in Chicago. Staff finds the nomination makes a good case for nomination through its research and documentation along with supporting materials. STAFF COMMENTS: Staff has evaluated the submitted nomination according to procedures, policies, standards, and criteria established by the National Park Service and the Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology pursuant to Certified Local Government and applicable federal regulations. The contextual development, format, supplementary documentation, and information presented are considered accurate and appropriately executed. Staff has also determined that the Lowell Heights – Olivet African Methodist Episcopal Church meets the applicable criteria as defined in this review and considers the area, as delineated by the justified boundaries, to be eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. As set forth in 36 CFR, Part 60; Staff has notified the property owner of the nomination via a mailed letter. Public officials and interested parties have been notified by letter of the pending nomination. All have been given the opportunity to provide the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend & St. Joseph County with written comments or objections. To date, no submissions have been presented. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Historic Preservation Commission concur with staff that the property meets the criteria for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places under Criteria A and C. Staff requests that the Commission direct staff to submit the appropriate report of the public hearing, including public comments, to Mayor James Mueller for his concurrence, in compliance with Indiana’s Certified Local Government regulations. The Certified Local Government Report on the Nomination of the Lowell Heights – Olivet African Methodist Episcopal Church to the National Register of Historic Places will then be 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.