Property Record
1327 Blake Ave.
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | First Holland Christian Reformed Church |
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| Other Name: | Second Missionary Baptist Church |
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| Reference Number: | 244114 |
| Location (Address): | 1327 Blake Ave. |
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| County: | Racine |
| City: | Racine |
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| Year Built: | 1908 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 2022 |
| Historic Use: | church |
| Architectural Style: | Romanesque Revival |
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| Wall Material: | Aluminum/Vinyl Siding |
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| Demolished?: | No |
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| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | The First Holland Christian Reformed Church (commonly known as the Holland Reformed Church) was formed in Racine in 1906. The congregation constructed the existing building at 1327 Blake Avenue in 1908. By 1931, the church had organized its own parochial school, known as the Racine Christian School (located elsewhere in the city), which had the distinction of being the only parochial school in Racine that was not affiliated with the Catholic or Lutheran churches.By this time, the church had dropped its ethnic name and had become known simply as the Christian Reformed Church. The group held services at its Blake Avenue church through the 1950s. In 1960, the congregation sold the building to the Second Missionary Baptist Church. Racine's Second Missionary Baptist congregation was formed in 1958 with a seven-member congregation.For the first two years of its existence, the group held services at temporary locations, including an old YMCA building. By 1960, the Second Missionary Baptist congregation had grown to approximately 80 members. In October 1960 the group purchased the former First Holland Christian Reformed Church at 1327 Blake Avenue for $15,000.The church was one of 16 in Racine that served the city's Black residents in the 1960s. In April of 1967, the church hosted an Equal Opportunity Jobs Program that promoted federal government jobs (primarily through the post office) among the city's African American population and provided an explanation of the employment protections granted as part of the 1964 Civil Rights Act (prohibiting employment discrimination based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin). By 1971, membership at Second Missionary Baptist Church had grown to 550. The property continues to serve Racine's African American community today as the United Faith Missionary Baptist Church. |
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| Bibliographic References: |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |