Indianapolis in Marion County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church

By Paul Fehrenbach, June 15, 2016

1. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Marker

side one

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

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.

Side Two
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 Indiana Historical Bureau, Division of Historical Preservation and Archaeology, IDNR, and Bethel A.M.E. Church. (Marker Number 49.2009.2.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church ⛪, and the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series lists.

Location.

By Paul Fehrenbach, June 15, 2016

2. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Marker

side two

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39° 46.396′ N, 86° 10.002′ W. Marker is in Indianapolis, Indiana, in Marion County. Marker is at the intersection of N. West Street and West Vermont Street, on the right when traveling north on N. West Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 423 N West St, Indianapolis IN 46202, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Camp Sullivan (Military Park) (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Indiana Avenue (about 700 feet away); James Overall (about 800 feet away); Greek Orthodox Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mary Cable / School No. 4 Site (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jones Tabernacle A.M.E. Zion Church Site (approx. 0.2 miles away); Talking Wall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Madame C.J. Walker Timeline (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indianapolis.

Regarding Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Church is located at 414 West Vermont Street

By Paul Fehrenbach, June 15, 2016

3. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Marker

looking south along West Street

By Paul Fehrenbach, June 15, 2016

4. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Marker

looking north along West Street

Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church image. Click for full size.

By Paul Fehrenbach, June 15, 2016

5. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church

By Paul Fehrenbach, June 15, 2016

6. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church

National Register plaque

Credits. This page was last revised on June 19, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2016, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 216 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 17, 2016, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.