Metro Voice News Celebrating Faith, Family & Community
The historic Washington Chapel C.M.E. Church in Parkville, built by formerly enslaved people, is being restored to its former glory after years of neglect. The church, which once had a congregation of 80 people, including many prominent African American leaders, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.
Washington Chapel CME Church was the only church in Kansas or Missouri to be included among 30 nationwide to receive a grant this year. The renovation is being done with funding provided by the Preserving Black Churches program. More than 70 other historic churches across the nation received a total of $8.7 in grants.
Washington Chapel CME was constructed in 1907 by college students and formerly enslaved citizens. At the time, it was known as a “beacon 0n a hill” for the Black community in Parkville. The congregation there is even older, formed in 1870. The historic church is currently not useable because of severe degradation of the structure. The grant will pay for roof repairs and allow for other restoration aspects allowing worship to resume as well as serving as a community events space.
Dr. Cora Thompson, the church treasurer, described the church’s construction: “Oh, it is a stone monument. Where we are sitting was a rock quarry. And so when they decided to build this church, they hewed the stone out of the quarry that was here.”
Restoration efforts, ongoing for six months, received a significant boost in January with a $160,000 federal grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund. Volunteer builders, including retired engineers, doctors, and lawyers, have replaced the roof, repaired the concrete floor, and renovated the entryway.
Tom Hickey, a civil engineer and volunteer, told KCUR, “It’s all trial and error. Cut it once and nibble at it for five more times, and then you’ll get it right.”
Retired architect Mike Scarborough, the project’s general contractor, estimates an additional $200,000 is needed to complete the restoration, including new rock for the church’s stone steps and weathered bell tower.
Alcorama Douglass Spencer, Thompson’s sister, recalled the church’s importance to the Parkville community. “Our father was hired to teach at the all-black school, the brick building right across from the church,” she said. “The Saturday before Thanksgiving was the church’s annual Thanksgiving dinner. And people just came from all over. People who had been out of town would look forward to coming back.”
While volunteers had hoped to have the building ready for a gathering this Thanksgiving season, they were unable to get power to the building in time. The goal now is to host a big celebration next year.
” People who have been so encouraging and helping us to get this far can come and fellowship with us, and we’re looking forward to being able to do that,” Spencer said.
–Alan Goforth
