The Parkville community received hopeful news on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday in January. Their treasured church, Washington Chapel, built in 1907, was given a grant for $160,000 from the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund to help with badly needed renovation.
Church services and events were halted in 2021 because of badly needed repairs that include extensive repairs to the bell tower, roof and electrical system.
Church members are very grateful for the grant, but it will cover only about a third of the costs for total repair.
“When we received the grant, I was very relieved because our church has a small elderly membership and we need to raise a significant amount of money for the complete restoration,” church member Barbara Luetke said. “We need. community allies to make donations.”
Luetke, who is an author, and retired University of Kansas professor is working on a book about the African American history of Parkville.
“Black people were denied participation in Parkville’s political life for many decades, and Washington Chapel Church provided leadership opportunities for its members. We are so fortunate to have two groups consistently working on the renovation.
The restoration is progressing and a weekly group of about six to eight men and women spend most of the day on Thursdays working on restoring the church. They called themselves the ‘Thursday Crew’ and work to renovate churches in the Kansas City area.
“We have another group of about four young men who work on Saturdays,” Luetke said. “We also have a volunteer master electrician and a volunteer, experienced architect. All these workers are overseen by our volunteer general contractor, Mike Scarborough. We would not be able to do this project without him. He spends many hours a week both at the church and composing needed files of communication.”
While the grant money will cover the cost of a new roof and an ADA (Americans with Disabilities) accessible bathroom, funds are still needed for a complete electrical overhaul of the building, a new kitchen, a second bathroom, floor, ceiling, special tools, a lift from the first floor to the second floor, masonry work, repair of the stairs and permits.
So far, donors have given about $12,000 for these additional repairs.
“Clearly it is not enough,” Luetke said. “About two years ago an historical contractor estimated a total of $550,000 will be needed for the complete restoration, so we need about $400,000 more. We are continually looking for grants, sending out appeals, and communicating with our community allies via our Facebook group which we encourage everyone to join. It is called Washington Chapel Restoration.”
The restoration began in February, and Luetke said it will probably take most of 2024 to complete. But at this point, it all depends on donations.
“Washington Chapel left its imprint for decades on practically every aspect of life for most African Americans in Parkville,” Luetke said.
As far back as 1886, efforts were made to build this church, and in 1907 the community members’ dream came to fruition. For more than a century Washington Chapel Church has been a spiritual focal point for the community.
As time and the elements, along with vandalism in 2023, have slowly damaged this beloved historical landmark, more and more people are coming together to save this priceless piece of Parkville’s Black history.
Donations can be made to Washington Chapel CME Church at 1137 West Street, Parkville, MO 64152.