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Allen Chapel – AME Church

116 Elm Street

Fort Worth, Texas 76102

Dedication:  July 22, 1914

Architecture Styles:  Perpendicular Gothic

Architect:  William Sidney Pittman

Show Description:

Fort Worth’s oldest African American church serves as the focal point of an historic community east of downtown. It was designed by William Sidney Pittman, the first African American architect to practice in Texas.


Other Structures designed by William Sidney Pittman

Knights of Pythias Temple
2551 Elm Street, Dallas, Texas

The Knights of Pythias Temple was constructed in 1916 as the state headquarters of the Grand Lodge of the Colored Knights of Pythias. It was constructed in the Beaux-Arts style of architecture which draws upon the principles of French neoclassicism, but also incorporated Renaissance and Baroque elements. The building was the first major commercial structure in Dallas built for African Americans, by African Americans, and with African American money.

St. James AME Church
624 N. Good Latimer Expressway, Dallas, Texas

This Neoclassical-style church was constructed in 1919-1921 and, like the Knights of Pythias Temple, it was built entirely by African American contractors, workers, and electricians. It housed the St. James congregation for 64 years and is the current home of Mental Health America of Greater Dallas.

More historic African American churches to explore in Texas

St. Paul United Methodist Church
1816 Routh Street, Dallas, Texas, Texas

Founded in 1873 by freed slaves from Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, St. Paul UMC is the home of the oldest African American Methodist congregation in Dallas. Construction for the Gothic and Victorian style church began in 1901 and was completed in 1924.

Lane Chapel C.M.E. Church,
615 Hembry Street, Lewisville, Texas

In 1882, Anthony Hembry and six charter members, all former slaves, organized the Lewisville C.M.E. Church. It served as one of the few African American church congregations between Dallas and Denton after the Civil War. The name of the church was changed to Lane Chapel C.M.E. in 1902. The congregation met without a building — usually in people’s homes — until 1908 when the simple frame building was erected.

Wayman Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church
407 E. Avenue D, Temple, Texas

The Wayman Chapel AME Church has been an important institution in Temple’s Black community since its organization in 1885. The church started as a tiny wood framed building. The larger brick sanctuary that’s present today was constructed in 1927.

St. Paul United Methodist Church
508 N. Center Street, San Antonio, Texas

Organized in 1866, St. Paul United Methodist Church was the first church established for African Americans in San Antonio. Members built a frame building in 1872 on land donated by church member McDaniel Webster; a stone structure replaced it in 1884. The area surrounding church property became known as St. Paul Square. The current sanctuary was completed in 1922 and features octagonal towers that flank the main doors.

CREDITS:

Allen Chapel exterior circa 1984 by Bryd M. Williams, IV

Byrd Williams Family Photography Collection (AR0769), University of North Texas Special Collections

Exterior of Allen Chapel circa 2009

Texas Historical Commission