Brown Chapel AME featured in NPR, gets $150,000 for preservation

Brown Chapel AME in Selma. Image from Wikimedia Commons. 

Brown Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church was featured in a report from NPR where it was mentioned that $150,000 has been invested in the building for its preservation as a historic site. 

The church's project director, Juanda Maxell, was interviewed in NPR alongside Brent Leggs, executive director of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, which made the donation. 

The building has suffered structural damage over the years, namely from termite and water. The state of the building has put it on an endangered list and has prompted efforts to restore it. 

Brown Chapel was one of other buildings discussed that became important to Black history such as Second Street Baptist Church in Los Angeles, designed by architect Paul Williams. 

Maxwell and Leggs noted that Brown Chapel was designed by architect A.J. Farley in 1908. Farley had been a former slave who was inspired to design the building in a Romanesque, revival style. 

(0) comments

Welcome to the discussion.

Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.