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: 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. 39° 46.367′ N, 86° 9.933′ W. Marker is in Indianapolis, Indiana, in Marion County. It is in Mile Square. Marker is at the intersection of W. Vermont Street and West Vermont Street, on the left when traveling north on W. Vermont Street
this page online
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); James Overall (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Indiana 9/11 Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); September 11, 2001 (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
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, June 15, 2016
2. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Marker
side two
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 Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 675 times since then and 12 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 Germantown, Wisconsin. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
