“It Was Forced Down Our Throats”: A Black Congregation Fights a Historic Listing So It Can Sell Its Church

• Hickman Temple AME has occupied the 1898 building in West Philadelphia for 47 years
• A local historical society nominated it for historic status without the congregation’s input
• Church leaders feared the designation would reduce the sale value
• The nomination was withdrawn in January 2022 and the church plans to move

A Black congregation in West Philadelphia has pushed back against efforts to give its church historic protection, saying it would damage the value of a building it needs to sell, Axios Philadelphia reported in February 2022.

Hickman Temple AME Church, at 50th Street and Baltimore Avenue, has worshipped in the building for 47 years. It was built in 1898 by Presbyterians. The University City Historical Society nominated it for historic status, but church leaders opposed the move, fearing that the maintenance obligations of a designation would lower what buyers would pay. The society withdrew its nomination in January 2022. The church is looking for a new property in Southwest Philadelphia or Upper Darby.

The Rev Gregory Nelson was blunt. “My issue is that it was forced down our throats,” he said, adding: “[A few] white people cannot decide the fate of a historical African American congregation that’s been in this location for 47 years.”

Amy Lambert, president of the historical society, said: “Too many undesignated historic buildings get demolished before community input can happen,” and “The building is such a landmark, and we’ve seen so many churches go to dust when it should be reused.” Paul Steinke of the Preservation Alliance said: “It’s not news that religious congregations of all stripes have faced challenges in maintaining those buildings.”

The dispute shows how a heritage listing changes the value of a church. Protection can save a landmark, but it also limits what a buyer can do and can leave a small congregation holding a building it cannot afford to maintain or sell.

Jamaica’s historic churches face a similar tension. Buildings declared national heritage sites carry restrictions on alteration and demolition. Congregations should understand what any designation would mean for repairs, insurance and resale, and take part early in any process that affects their property, rather than finding out when a sale is already planned.

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