Plymouth Methodist Church and
Karpeles Museum
- Table of Contents
Exterior Photos
Plymouth Methodist Church /
Karpeles
Manuscript Library Museum
453 Porter Avenue, Buffalo, NY
"Karpeles" pronunciation: KARP e les
Erected: |
1911-1912 |
Architect: |
Cyrus K. Porter & Son |
Style: |
Romanesque Revival |
Status: |
Buffalo local landmark |
The
Jersey
Street Methodist Episcopal Church
was
built on this site. In 1873 the congregation changed its
name to Plymouth Methodist
Episcopal Church in
commemoration of the faith and courage which the Pilgrim
Fathers had shown in
1620 at Plymouth Rock. Because of the church's prominence on
Porter Avenue and
its significance in the community it quickly became the
namesake for Twelfth
Street, whose name was changed to Plymouth Avenue during the
intervening years
1874 to 1884. In
1995, the Karpeles Manuscript
Library purchased the abandoned building, making it the
seventh museum in the
The Karpeles Library - the world's largest private holding
of important
original manuscripts & documents. The enormous building
needed over $2
million in extensive renovation.
|
2002 Photos Facade on Porter Avenue 1978 Shaw Memorial A. M. E. Zion Church plaque. The church closed in 1982 and stood unoccupied until 1996 when the Karpales Manuscript Library Museum opened its doors to the public. Cornerstone View from Porter and Jersey Streets:
View from Porter and Jersey Streets Tower and east window depicting Christ the Good Shepherd in all five arcade panels of the window
North view (Porter Avenue). Note statue in belfry: Statue in belfry: "Quasimodo," by Michael Kelly Porter Avenue museum entrance Above the doors is wood paneling, enriched by tiny wooden attached columns, and above this the tympanums are filled with leaded windows. Tympanums are filled with leaded stained glass windows (See additional page on building's stained glass windows) |
East elevation - Jersey Street Southeast view from Jersey and Plymouth Sts. Southeast view from Jersey and Plymouth Sts. Entrance ("portal bay") architecture is identcal to the entrance on Porter. Southeast view from Jersey and Plymouth Sts.
Southeast view from Jersey and Plymouth Sts.
Southeast view from Jersey and Plymouth Sts. Walls are made of brick faced with stucco which succeeds in looking like smoothly faced limestone. Note corbel table Southeast view from Jersey and Plymouth Sts. Lantern |