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Turn of the 20th Century: Life in Charlotte 1900 - 1910

First Baptist Church (Black congregation)

At one time, segregation-- either enforced or implied-- permeated every aspect of life in Charlotte, including in its churches. Prior to the Civil War, enslaved persons attended the First Baptist Church for whites. However, in 1867, two years after the Civil War,  the newly freedmen and women, sixty-six total,  no longer wanted to be forced to sit in the balcony of the white church. They  gathered under an oak tree on the grounds of the predominately white First Baptist Church of Charlotte to discuss their  future as a congregation.

The Myers Street School

This is the Myers Street School (1886) at 515 South Myers Street. At the turn-of-the-century, it was the only public school for black students. The students nicknamed it the “Jacob’s ladder” because of the exterior stairways. Approximately sixteen teachers led by Principal Isabella Wyche taught at the Myers Street School. Children heading home after school.

Southern Manufacturers Club

The  Southern Manufacturers Club, an all men’s club organized in 1894. Fourteen years later in 1908, work began on this handsome building, designed by C.C. Hook,  at 134 West Trade Street at a cost of $100,000. Living quarters for the single members were located on the third floor. Some of Charlotte’s most prominent businessmen call this home.

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Presbyterian Churches

The Scots Irish settlers established Presbyterian churches throughout the counties in the 1700s.  At the turn-of-the-century, there were two Presbyterian churches in Charlotte in uptown Charlotte.  First Presbyterian Church in Charlotte was organized in 1832. Originally a small church, that building was replaced with the completion of this beautiful structure on November 17, 1895.

North Graded School

North Graded School opened in 1900. It was located at 600 North Brevard. There were eighteen classrooms in the school. Frank P. Milburn of Washington, D.C. was the architect.  It cost $35,000 to build this school.

Two St. Peter’s

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church began as a mission in 1834. It becomes a parish of the diocese ten years later. This is the second building for this church. Located on the corner of North Tryon and West 7th Streets, it was built between 1857 and 1858.  St. Peter’s Catholic Church is in the upper left hand corner of this postcard. The parish formed in 1851. This particular church building was completed in 1892.  

First Baptist

First Baptist Church, was located in the 300 block of North Tryon Street. The church can trace its history to 1832. In 1906, members decided that a new building was needed. The new church would include an auditorium that would seat over 1,000 people and would cost $50,000. Because the new building was to be located next door to the city's library, Andrew Carnegie agreed to donate $5,000 toward the purchase of an organ if First Baptist would use a design similar to that of the library.

Baird School For Boys

The Baird School for Boys  was run by Major J.G. Baird of South Carolina  who purchased the wooden  building once used by the Macon School for Boys, which closed in 1890. Originally, Baird called the school  the Charlotte Military Institute because military tactics were taught at the school. Later he erected the brick building seen here, which was on Poplar Street and changed the name to the Baird School for Boys. The school continued from 1890 until his death in 1927.

Number of Charlotte Churches in 1900

Religious life plays an important role in the daily lives of most Charlotteans. Below is an estimate of the number of churches, both black and white, by denomination.
Baptist Churches - 14
Catholic Church - 1
Congregational Church - 1
Episcopal Churches - 6
Jewish Synagogue - 1
Lutheran Churches - 3
Methodist Churches - 14
Presbyterian Churches - 13