2014 Community Service—Bethel AME
Freshmen found themselves part of an important historic restoration Wednesday when they lent their muscle to repairs, landscaping, and moving at the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church building. Crawfordsville Mayor Todd Barton ’00 stopped by to thank the Wabash men for their work. 'You will get out of the community what you put into it,' Barton says. 'Working in this community can teach you how to be leaders.'
The repairs at Bethel AME are part of a partnership between Bethel and First Christian Church in Crawfordsville. Pastor Keith Strain welcomed the freshmen and assigned them the various tasks of the morning.
Adam Kashin ’18 shovels dirt into a wheelbarrow while his classmates and members of First Christian Church work to replace gutters on the back of the building.
Bethel AME is on the National Register of Historic Places and was an important stop on the Underground Railroad. African Americans seeking their freedom from slavery in the South were harbored in the church and the nearby cabin of dedicated abolitionist John Speed. A tunnel connected the two buildings. A remnant of the Speed cabin has since been moved to Lane Place, but a plaque marks its original location. In the background, Wabash students continue their work.
A portion of the Speed Cabin (the kitchen area) in its new location. Freshmen learned the history of the Bethel building, the cabin, and more about the Bethel/First Christian partnership, during a break from their work.
Brandon Shipp ’18, a classmate, and member of the First Christian Church take down the old guttering.
Tony Lin ’18 works alongside his advisor, Professor of Economics Frank Howland.
Professor Emeritus Raymond Williams H’68 has coordinated the renovation project and welcomed first the freshmen, and then Mayor Barton, to the site. 'The Bethel congregation has maintained the sanctuary as a beautiful worship space,' Williams said. 'Phase One of our work together are repairs to preserve and protect the outside of the building, and we hope to accomplish that before winter sets in.'
The Wabash freshmen were a huge help and they lifted heavy items out of the wet basement. Here Ben Geier ’18 helps carry an unused door up the basement stairs.
In pre-Civil War Days, the Bethel basement had a door that opened to a tunnel that led to the Speed cabin. Here Joe Hapak ’18 carries the old sign for the church.
Brandon Shipp ’18 takes apart the old gutters.
Brient Hicks ’18 helps out.
Digging in!
Professor Frank Howland manages a smile as he carries items out of the basement on a warm, humid day.
Omar Chavez ’18
Orientation Leader Seton Goddard ’15 and Joe Hapak get to work in the basement beside the church's old sign.
Mayor Barton talks with students and members of the Bethel congregation.
Mayor Barton greets Brient Hicks ’18.
Bethel Church member Marva Davis talks with Mayor Barton.
Church historian Victoria Hudson-Swisher shows the mayor some historical documents, including notes her grandmother made as a member of the church in 1925.
Omar Chavez ’18 and Jake Roehm ’18 put their backs into it.
Hank Horner ’18 helps lift waferboard out of the basement.
Tony Lin takes another load to the site to protect the basement and foundation.
The beautiful stained glass window at Bethel is also being repaired and protected.