Akron in Summit County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Wesley Temple African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 7, 2011
1. Wesley Temple AME Zion Church Marker
This church, founded in 1866, is the oldest Black congregation in Akron. After worshipping in several locations, the congregation held a fund-raiser to help finance the construction of a permanent home. The person collecting the most money had the privilege of renaming the church. That honor went to Mrs. Belle (Smith) Wesley. Completed in 1928, the current structure is a Neo-Classical Revival style building, featuring a classical pedimented portico, or porch, and four distinctive Ionic columns. An education wing was added in 1963 by the late Rev. Dr. E. E. Morgan, Jr. Akron Black architects Herbert L. Wardner and John O. Somerville designed the church, and then a Black contractor, Samuel Plato, completed the structure. The church has long been a vital religious and social focal point for Akron's Black community. The local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was organized at Wesley Temple. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places 3/19/94.
Erected 1995 by Wesley Temple African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 11-77.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion
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Location. 41° 5.149′ N, 81° 30.612′ W. Marker is in Akron, Ohio, in Summit County. Marker is at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr Blvd / Perkins Street (Ohio Route 59) and Prospect Street, on the right when traveling west on Martin Luther King Jr Blvd / Perkins Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 104 North Prospect Street, Akron OH 44304, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Site of Sojourner Truth's Speech on Women's Rights (approx. ¼ mile away); Akron Community Service Center and Urban League (approx. ¼ mile away); United Rubber Workers International Union (approx. 0.3 miles away); George W. Mathews (approx. 0.4 miles away); Howard Street District (approx. 0.4 miles away); Creating Crossroads of Commerce (approx. 0.4 miles away); 1936 Akron Rubber Strike (approx. 0.4 miles away); GG9 (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Akron.
Also see . . .
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 7, 2011
2. Wesley Temple AME Zion Church and Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 7, 2011
3. Wesley Temple AME Zion Church Cornerstone
Credits. This page was last revised on July 19, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,502 times since then and 129 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 17, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
