Property Record
1616 W ATKINSON AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church |
|---|---|
| Other Name: | St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 118473 |
| Location (Address): | 1616 W ATKINSON AVE |
|---|---|
| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | Milwaukee |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
| Quarter Section: | |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: |
| Year Built: | 1969 |
|---|---|
| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 19752023 |
| Historic Use: | house of worship |
| Architectural Style: | Contemporary |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Harry A. Ollrogge |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date: | |
| State Register Listing Date: |
| Additional Information: | "A site file exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the State Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation. 2023- resurveyed as part of Milwaukee Houses of Worship thematic survey. St. Mark's was founded in 1868 and is the oldest black church in the City of Milwaukee and the State of Wisconsin. The congregation occupied four different buildings before moving to its present site in 1969. See Wisconsin Historical Image 54538 for a view of St. Mark's first church building. Prior to 1915 St. Mark's AME Church was one of only three churches in the city that served the religious needs of African-Americans in Milwaukee; the others were Calvary Baptist Church [AHI 109103] and St. Benedict the Moor Mission and School [AHI 55952]. Lucien Palmer, the first black to serve in the Wisconsin legislature, was a trustee of St. Mark's AME Church. He was elected in 1906 and served one term representing the 6th Assembly District." |
|---|---|
| Bibliographic References: | St. Mark's website [http://stmarkame-milwaukee.com/index.php/about-us/history/historical-trail] "Black Milwaukee: The Making of an Industrial Proletariat 1915-1945 (second edition)" by Joe William Trotter Jr., University of Illinois Press, 2007 Wisconsin Blue Book 1907 |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |