Mile Square in Indianapolis in Marion County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, June 15, 2016
1. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Marker
side one
A.M.E. Church traces its origins to founding of Free African Society in Philadelphia, 1787. Circa 1836, Augustus Turner, a barber, and other black settlers organized this Indianapolis congregation to worship freely and support their community. Trustees bought land 1840 on Georgia Street for first church.
Church held black state conventions, aided fugitive slaves, established a school, and recruited for U.S. Colored Troops during the Civil War. Arson destroyed Georgia Street church in 1864. Land purchased here in 1865. Church completed in 1870; listed in National Register of Historic Places, 1991.
Erected 2009 by Hampton/Homewood Indianapolis Canal IUPUI. (Marker Number 49.2009.2.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, and the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series lists.
Location. 39° 46.367′ N, 86° 9.933′ W. Marker is in Indianapolis, Indiana, in Marion County. It is in Mile Square. It is at the
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Central Indiana. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Emelie Building (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Greek Orthodox Church (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named Greek Orthodox Church (about 700 feet away); Camp Sullivan (Military Park) (about 700 feet away); Indiana Avenue (approx. 0.2 miles away); Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library (approx. 0.2 miles away); James Overall (approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Indiana 9/11 Memorial
Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, June 15, 2016
2. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Marker
side two
Another marker is no longer nearby. Senate Avenue YMCA (was about 600 feet away but has been confirmed missing).
Regarding Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Church is located at 414 West Vermont Street
Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, June 15, 2016
3. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Marker
looking south along West Street
Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, June 15, 2016
4. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Marker
looking north along West Street
Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, June 15, 2016
5. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, June 15, 2016
6. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
National Register plaque
Credits. This page was last revised on March 14, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2016, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 839 times since then and 19 times this year. Last updated on March 10, 2023, by Ashley Ramirez of Indianapolis, Indiana. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 17, 2016, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
