place

Salem Baptist Church (Alton, Illinois)

1919 establishments in IllinoisAfrican-American churchesBaptist churches in IllinoisBuildings and structures in Madison County, IllinoisChurches completed in 1912
Churches on the National Register of Historic Places in IllinoisGothic Revival church buildings in IllinoisNational Register of Historic Places in Madison County, Illinois
Salem Baptist Church north of Alton
Salem Baptist Church north of Alton

The Salem Baptist Church is a historic African-American Baptist church located at 2001 Seiler Road in Foster Township, Madison County, Illinois. Built in 1912, the church was the third built for the Salem congregation, which formed in 1819. African-American stonemason Madison Banks and white contractor Samuel Marshall, both from Alton, built the church; they were assisted by two members of the congregation, John Walker and William Emery. The church served as a civic and social center for the local black community during the early 20th century, as African-Americans faced rampant segregation and discrimination in public spaces. The church hosted events such as picnics and dinners, hay rides, and fashion shows for its congregation. In addition, the congregation organized a Ladies Aid Society for its female members, which sponsored a college scholarship program, and a Progressive Club for its youth. The church's membership declined after the 1960s, a consequence of both integration and rural flight.The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 31, 2013.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Salem Baptist Church (Alton, Illinois) (License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Authors, Images).

Salem Baptist Church (Alton, Illinois)
Seiler Road,

Geographical coordinates (GPS) Address Nearby Places
placeShow on map

Wikipedia: Salem Baptist Church (Alton, Illinois)Continue reading on Wikipedia

Geographical coordinates (GPS)

Latitude Longitude
N 38.966944444444 ° E -90.1225 °
placeShow on map

Address

Seiler Road 2001
62002
Illinois, United States
mapOpen on Google Maps

Salem Baptist Church north of Alton
Salem Baptist Church north of Alton
Share experience

Nearby Places

Alton Museum of History and Art
Alton Museum of History and Art

The Alton Museum of History and Art, sometimes known as the Robert Wadlow Museum, in Alton, Illinois was founded in 1971 as a not for profit organization. It is located in Loomis Hall, named for Rev. Hubbel Loomis, on the grounds of the former Rock Spring Alton Baptist Seminary established by missionary John Mason Peck, later renamed Shurtleff College, and presently the home of the Southern IL University School of Dental Medicine. The building, which has Underground Railroad history, was constructed as the original chapel/classroom of the seminary c.1820 and the sanctuary was modified in the early 1900s to be a two-story building with a rear classroom and laboratory addition. The building is the state's second oldest remaining college building.Although most known for its collection related to Robert Wadlow (the Alton Giant), it also has exhibits on Lewis & Clark, the Alton Confederate Prison and the Lincoln–Douglas debates as well as that of the region's Native American populations. It serves to help preserve the history and heritage of its community; it continues to demonstrate the artistic interests and achievement of its residents.The museum also owns two homes in the town, the Koenig House and the Wilhelm House, which were donated to the museum by Corida Koenig Hanna in 1987. The Koenig House was repaired in 1990, but both homes present challenges for the museum despite their uses for programming. The museum temporarily closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and remains closed as of 2023.

Old Rock House (Alton, Illinois)

The Old Rock House was the home of Reverend Thaddeus Beman Hurlbut, who was the pastor of the Upper Alton Presbyterian Church (also known as the College Avenue Presbyterian Church) and a friend of Elijah Parish Lovejoy. It is located at 2705 College Avenue in Alton, Illinois. It was built in 1834–1835 by Henry Caswell and John Higham. It was a double-dwelling building, with John Higham on the east side. In 1927, the house was owned by Dr. Isaac Moore.The first meeting to organize the Illinois Anti-Slavery Society was held on October 26, 1837. From meeting notes, the meeting started at the church, but due to "disorderly elements", the meeting ended. It was rescheduled for the following day at the Rock House, where the society was organized. This happened just before the pro-slavery riots in Alton on October 28.It was a station on the Underground Railroad. Located along the Mississippi River, it was a refuge for freedom seekers from Missouri and Southern slave states. Abolitionists and free blacks helped former enslaved people make it from one station to the next location on the Underground Railroad. Tunnels underneath the Lewis and Clark Community College campus were used to help people gain their freedom. Lyman Trumbull of Alton wrote the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution which abolished slavery in America.College Avenue Presbyterian Church and the Rock House are across College Avenue from each other. A historical marker for both buildings is located at College Avenue and Clawson Street.