HomeMy WebLinkAboutEstablishing an historic landmark for 310 W Monroe StORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE, AND ESTABLISHING AN HISTORIC
LANDMARK FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 310 WEST MONROE STREET IN THE CITY OF
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA
Whereas, The Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph
County has petitioned for the designation of the following described real
estate as an Historic Landmark under the Ordinance No. 5565 -73, as amended to
wit:
The West 50.00 feet of Lot 467 in the
recorded plat of "Martin's Addition"
as recorded in the records of St Joseph
County, Indiana.
Whereas, The Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph
County has recommended the designation of the PROPERTY as an historic
landmark.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA:
SECTION 1. That the above described PROPERTY be, and it is here designated and
established as an Historic Landmark under Ordinance No. 5565 -73, as amended.
SECTION 2. That this ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and
after its passage by the Common Council, approval by the Mayor and its
publication.
310 WEST MONROE STREET, THE OLIVET AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
310 WEST MONROE STREET
Historic and Architectural Significance
Historic Preservation Commission
of
South Bend & St. Joseph County
September 1994
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LOCATION MAP
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Sam Street
LOCATION MAP
310 West Monroe Street
South Bend, Indiana
PHOTOGRAPH
310 West Monroe Street
South Bend, Indiana
At the September 19, 1994 regular monthly meeting of the Historic Preservation
Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County (HPC), the HPC voted
unanimously to send a favorable recommendation for the Local Historic Landmark
designation of the former Mount Olive A.M.E. Church located at 310 West Monroe
Street to the South Bend Common Council.
RECOMMENDATION
Based on the HPC Local Landmark Criteria [1], it is the Historic Preservation
Commission's recommendation that the South Bend Common Council designate the
structure located at 310 West Monroe Street in the city of South Bend by
ordinance as a Local Historic Landmark. The property meets the criteria in at
least four areas.
1) Its character, interest, or value as part of the development, heritage, or
culture of the City of South Bend or St. Joseph County, the State of Indiana,
or the United States;
2) Its embodiment of elements of architectural design, detail, materials, or
craftsmanship which represents an architectural characteristic or innovation;
3) Its educational value;
4) Its suitability for preservation;
The property fulfills criteria #1 as the location of the first religious
institution established in South Bend by a congregation of African - American
descent. The extant structure was constructed by that same congregation at
this same site at a later date which has since accrued historical merit.
The property fulfills criteria #2 as an example of the design, plan, detail,
and materials of the early twentieth century church construction. The
structure was rated as Significant (11) in the latest summary report of the
Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory (1993) which described it as
being unaltered and in good condition.
The property fulfills criteria #3 as a publicly accessible surviving structure
from the first African - American church congregation organized in South Bend
and associated with numerous persons of stature in the African - American
community of South Bend.
The property fulfills criteria #4 by its unaltered condition, integrity, and
continued use.
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION
The structure is constructed in a very functional rendition of the Gothic
Revival style including a high pitched roof (approximately 12/12 pitch),
stained glass windows with pointed arches, water table, a crenelated tower at
the northwest front corner and a circular window located in the pediment of
the front facade. The construction is of stretcher bond wire cut brick with
cut and dressed stone articulating such elements as the water table string
course, window sills, the surround of the circular window, the keystone over
the main entry door, and the parapet coping over the entry and at the
crenelations of the tower.
In plan the structure is composed of a main rectangular body with high pitched
vaulted ceiling which shelters the sanctuary of the church and a large room
directly below the sanctuary in the basement. Additional one story extensions
enclose a narthex entry at the front with a quarter -hip roof; choir storage at
the southeast corner, and office space at the southwest corner with shed
extensions from the upper roof. Vertical accessibility is accommodated by
stairway in the tower. The main floor is raised significantly from ground
level and articulated by a stone string course often referred to as the water
table. Entry is accomplished by concrete steps with metal railings located at
the center of the front facade which approach a double set of doors which
together have a tudor arched head. Secondary entry and egress is provided by a
door located at the office appendage.
HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT
The Olivet African Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in the City of
South Bend in 1870 under the direction of Reverend John Bundy and nine charter
members. The Organization became a legal entity by Articles of Association
dated March 16, 1871 under the name of "Olivet Chapel Society of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church of South Bend ". Said articles of association were
signed by James Hurst, Pharoah (A.K.A. Pharoh and Farrow) Powell, J. H.
Jackson, Catherine Wilson and Alice Fowler [2]. The Church placed great
emphasis on the religious and social improvement of local residents of African
descent. For many years, it was the only center of the social, religious, and
political life of the city's African - American community. This congregation is
found to be variously referred to as Olivet, Mount Olive [3] and simply Olive
A.M.E. [4] in the historical sources.
Among the other early charter members of the Olivet A.M.E. Church were Mrs.
Pharoah Powell, Mrs. James Jackson, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Birdgeman, Mr. J. B.
Lott, and Mr. John Powell.
The first trustees, Pharoah Powell, James Jackson, and James Hurst purchased
this site in 1871. Shortly thereafter, the first church was erected on this
site in the late 1870's under the direction of Rev. Bundy. This structure was
remodeled under the leadership of Rev. George W. Benson. Late in 1915 plans
were made for a new church during the administration of Reverend C. Emery
Allen. Construction work on the present structure was completed in 1917. On
February 4, 1917 the new church was dedicated during the Michigan Annual
Conference, by Right Reverend C. S. Smith, Presiding Bishop. The Pipe Organ
was unveiled October 23, 1917 under the pastorate of Rev. A. T. Reading.[5]
In 1969, the Olivet A.M.E. Church purchased the former Lowell Heights
Methodist Church at 719 N. Notre Dame Avenue. They sold this building to James
and Bonnie Baxter at that time. The Baxters converted the Church into a center
for dance instruction and performance.
The building was restored to a place of worship in the latter part of 1981
when the Southhold Dancecenter Inc. sold it to the Greater Tabernacle
Christian Church. In April of 1986, South Bend's Department of Redevelopment
purchased the structure as part of the land acquisitions related to the
development of Covelski Stadium. The structure is presently leased by the city
to the Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church where Reverend Robert H. Derrickson
is pastor.[6]
David B. Duvall
September, 1994
NOTES
1. Historic Preservation Commission Resolution No.3: Historic Landmarks
Procedure
2. Olivet A.M.E. Church; Program - 100th Anniversary Banquet
3. Howard, Timothy Edward; __A History of Saint Joseph County Indiana; pg. 413
4. Sanborn Map Company; Saint Joseph County, Indiana 1917; pg. 47
5. Olivet A.M.E. Church; Program - 100th Anniversary Banquet
6. Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Survey - inventory data card(s).*
* The section on Historic Development relies partially on the information
gathered for the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Survey, this document
credits the following sources: Deed Book (St. Joseph County) pg. 189; So. Bend
Tribune - Dec. 1, 1985, pg. c3; Assessment Card (St. Joseph County) 1979; So.
Bend Tribune - Dec. 21, 1971.
AREA PLAN COMMISSION of ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, IN
RICHARD S. JOHNSON Executive Director
1140 COUNTY -CITY BUILDING, SOUTH BEND, IN. 46601
October 17, 1994
Mrs. Irene Gammon, City Clerk
4th Floor, County -City Building
South Bend, Indiana 46601
ROBERT W. SANTE Assistant Director
(219) 235 -9571 FAX (219) 235-9813----,,,"
RE: Bill No. 91 -94 Proposed designation of property located at 310 West Monroe Street as
an Historical Landmark.
Dear Mrs. Gammon:
The Staff of the Area Plan Commission has reviewed the Historic Preservation Commission's
proposed designation of the above property as an historic landmark with respect to the
relationship of said property to any capital improvements proposed for nearby rights -of -way,
easements or properties.
We find no proposed improvements that will conflict with this designation.
Sincerely,
Y
Senior Planner
cc: Historic Preservation Commission
Serving: South Bend, Lakeville, New Carlisle, North Liberty, Roseland and St. Joseph County, IN
commitIr a arpor#
(go #4t flomnwn (110um -d of tot TitH of OVW4 Emb:
of the Whole
Your Committee
to whom was referred
BILL NO.
91 -94 A BILL AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE, AND ESTABLISHING AN
HISTORIC LANDMARK FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 310 WEST MONROE
STREET IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA
Respectfully report that they have examined the matter and that in their opinion
This bill has been recommended to the Council favorable.
Roland Kelly, Chairman
FREE PREBB PUBLISHING CO.