The Powell Family and Early Black Churches in South Bend
In 1850, there were five Black families listed in the U.S. Census taken in South Bend. In 1858, Farrow and Rebecca Powell, their children and their grandchildren bought properties and built homes in South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana. Their homes were located on the south side of South Bend between South Michigan and Main Streets. There were also Powell family members living around the Cedar Street area in Mishawaka.
The Powells were very active in their church, Olivet A.M.E., as well as in the social and business life of the community. It is interesting to note that Elijah, Colonel and James Powell, sons of Rebecca and Farrow Powell, served in the Civil War. Colonel and James enlisted as Whites (they were very light-skinned).
Farrow (sometimes spelled Pharoah) and Rebecca Powell, along with many of the descendants of the William Bryant family (pictured above), are buried in South Bend's City Cemetery.
In 1973, students at Pierre Navarre School in South Bend spearheaded a community project to preserve the Powell house that stood at 420 South Main Street. The students, along with many community leaders and historians, wanted to preserve this historic home by moving it to Leeper Park near the log home of St. Joseph County's first settler, Pierre Navarre. Unfortunately, the house was vandalized several times and finally burned in 1980.
Religion has played a very important role in the history of the African American community. Traces of the early churches in South Bend can still be found.
The Olivet A.M.E. (African Methodist Episcopal) Church was the pioneer church in this area. It was organized in 1873 at 310 W. Monroe Street. The Powell family was instrumental in organizing this first African American church in South Bend.
Today, Olivet A.M.E. is located on the east side of South Bend at 719 North Notre Dame Avenue.
The second church built on this site replaced the wood frame building. Today, it is the home of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church. It is most commonly seen beyond center field outside Coveleski Stadium in downtown South Bend.
Pilgrim Baptist Church, established in 1890, is the oldest African American Baptist Church in the city. Located at 116 N. Birdsell Street, it was originally the Mount Zion Baptist Church. The small wooden frame building was donated to the congregation by the Studebaker brothers. In 1941, the church was renamed Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church.
Taylor's A.M.E. Zion Church was organized in 1907. At that time it was the only Black church on the east side of South Bend. Today, it is known as the First A.M.E. Zion Church and is located at 801 North Eddy Street.
On West Washington Street in South Bend is a simple, white-framed church. St. Augustine's Catholic Church was founded in 1928 and became the first fully-integrated Catholic parish in the area. The people of St. Augustine's have served the needs of the people who lived in the neighborhood.
Historical research proves that local African Americans have organized and built many churches to serve their needs. In addition to being a place to worship, churches have provided a place for social, cultural, educational and political activities.
African Americans
in the Workplace
Indiana
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