The Story of the Wright-Dunbar Neighborhood Houses of Faith Michael Zeller Doing History

The Story of the Wright-Dunbar The Story of the Wright-Dunbar Neighborhood Houses of Faith Neighborhood Houses of Faith

Michael Zeller

Doing History

Doing HistoryDoing History This is an 11This is an 11thth and 12 and 12thth grade history grade history

elective class designed to expose elective class designed to expose students to local history and the students to local history and the techniques historians use to research techniques historians use to research history.history.

The lesson will teach the students The lesson will teach the students about some of the churches from the about some of the churches from the historic Wright-Dunbar district while historic Wright-Dunbar district while teaching them research skills which teaching them research skills which they will use to answer questions they will use to answer questions designed to develop historical research designed to develop historical research skills. skills.

ObjectivesObjectives The students will address the three The students will address the three

educational objectives listed under the educational objectives listed under the People in SocietiesPeople in Societies section of Ohio’s 11 section of Ohio’s 11thth grade objectives. These objectives are:grade objectives. These objectives are:

Explain how the United States has Explain how the United States has benefited from its multicultural diversity.benefited from its multicultural diversity.

Explore the roots of prejudice and identify Explore the roots of prejudice and identify ways of combating prejudice.ways of combating prejudice.

Examine reasons why people in various Examine reasons why people in various cultural groups preserve their culture cultural groups preserve their culture while still participating in United States while still participating in United States society and the economy. society and the economy.

Materials NeededMaterials Needed LCD Projector & ComputerLCD Projector & Computer WorksheetsWorksheets The book The book Nearby History Nearby History by Kyvig and Marty.by Kyvig and Marty.

Newspaper articles concerning Wright-Dunbar Churches for Newspaper articles concerning Wright-Dunbar Churches for example:example:

““Holy Name May Close in Merger.” Holy Name May Close in Merger.” Dayton Journal HeraldDayton Journal Herald, 14 March 1974., 14 March 1974. ““Rev. Rayner Bartos Will Offer First Mass in Ceremony Today” Rev. Rayner Bartos Will Offer First Mass in Ceremony Today” Dayton Dayton

JournalJournal, 14 June 1935, 14., 14 June 1935, 14.

Historical books and documents for example:Historical books and documents for example: Williams Dayton Directory 1910-1911, Cincinnati, OH.Williams Dayton Directory 1910-1911, Cincinnati, OH. Rev. Vonjick, letter to Archbishop McNicholas, 27 March 1937, Archdiocese Rev. Vonjick, letter to Archbishop McNicholas, 27 March 1937, Archdiocese

of Cincinnati Archives, Archbishop McNicholas Collection 1925-1950of Cincinnati Archives, Archbishop McNicholas Collection 1925-1950

Web SitesWeb Sites

The following websites will be used by students to The following websites will be used by students to answer questions about Dayton history and answer questions about Dayton history and historical research.historical research.

Dayton Facts Dayton Facts http://www.ci.dayton.oh.us/html/dayton_facts.asphttp://www.ci.dayton.oh.us/html/dayton_facts.asp Dayton History Dayton History http://www.ci.dayton.oh.us/html/dayton_history.asphttp://www.ci.dayton.oh.us/html/dayton_history.asp Inventing Flight Business Inventing Flight Business

http://www.inventingflight.org/invention/wb_business.phphttp://www.inventingflight.org/invention/wb_business.php Inventing Flight History Inventing Flight History

http://www.inventingflight.org/invention/wb_history.phphttp://www.inventingflight.org/invention/wb_history.php Wright State Library Homepage Wright State Library Homepage http://www.libraries.wright.edu/http://www.libraries.wright.edu/

Student ActivitiesStudent Activities

1. Students will use the websites on the previous slide to 1. Students will use the websites on the previous slide to answer the following questions.answer the following questions.

When was Dayton founded?When was Dayton founded? Who was Dayton named after?Who was Dayton named after? How many times and in what years has Dayton been rated How many times and in what years has Dayton been rated

an “All American City”? an “All American City”? What is the cultural diversity of the city of Dayton in What is the cultural diversity of the city of Dayton in

percentages?percentages? How many parks does Dayton have?How many parks does Dayton have? What is the average high temperature in Dayton?What is the average high temperature in Dayton? What was the name of the Wright brothers newspaper?What was the name of the Wright brothers newspaper? What are the hours of Wright State University’s Special What are the hours of Wright State University’s Special

Collections and Archives? On what floor in the library are the Collections and Archives? On what floor in the library are the special collections and archives located?special collections and archives located?


2. The students will use newspapers to answer the following questions:

Who was the pastor of Holy Name church when it closed?

What was the official reason for the closing?

What church replaced Holy Name?

What type of celebration followed Fr. Bartos’ first mass?

Was Fr. Bartos from the Holy Name community?

3. The students will use the Williams Dayton Directory to reconstruct the businesses in the Wright –Dunbar neighborhood in 1911?


4. The students will be required to utilize Wright States Special Collections and Archives to locate a picture of Dayton from before 1930. They will write a paragraph on what they learned by examining the photograph.

5. The students will be required to utilize Wright States Special Collections and Archives to locate information about Dayton Malleable Iron. Where was it located? Who was employed there? When did it open?

WRIGHT-DUNBARNEIGHBORHOOD CHURCHES

WRIGHT-DUNBARWRIGHT-DUNBARNEIGHBORHOOD CHURCHESNEIGHBORHOOD CHURCHES

The churches of the Wright-Dunbar The churches of the Wright-Dunbar neighborhood have played and still play an neighborhood have played and still play an important role within the near West Dayton important role within the near West Dayton community. community.

Churches have lead to the creation of a Churches have lead to the creation of a community that has witnessed both the rewards community that has witnessed both the rewards of economic growth and the decay that of economic growth and the decay that accompanies disinvestment and neglect. accompanies disinvestment and neglect.

Holy Name Catholic Church Holy Name Catholic Church 1906-1974 1906-1974

Holy Name Church Today

Holy Name Catholic Church Holy Name Catholic Church 1906-19741906-1974

A post card celebrating Holy Name Church’s official opening from 1909.

Where would one go to find a historical document like this?


Holy Name Church was Built by Catholic Hungarian Immigrants in 1906. On May 9, 1909 Holy Name Church was officially recognized by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. on this day there was a large celebration within the neighborhood featuring Hungarian music and food. The occasion was so important to the Catholics in this neighborhood that postcards were made to commemorate this joyous occasion.


Holy Name Church was the pride and focal point Holy Name Church was the pride and focal point for the newly immerging Hungarian community for the newly immerging Hungarian community near Wolf Creek. near Wolf Creek.

The Hungarian immigrants often encountered The Hungarian immigrants often encountered discrimination outside of their neighborhood so discrimination outside of their neighborhood so they kept to themselves. they kept to themselves.

As the neighborhood matured many Hungarians As the neighborhood matured many Hungarians opened small shops, restaurants, or saloons. opened small shops, restaurants, or saloons. Within a few blocks of the church there was a Within a few blocks of the church there was a bakery, several grocery stores, a supply store bakery, several grocery stores, a supply store and Hungarian Club House. and Hungarian Club House.


The Hungarian Club House was a favorite The Hungarian Club House was a favorite gathering place for the young Hungarian gathering place for the young Hungarian men. Many of the Hungarian immigrants men. Many of the Hungarian immigrants lived in boarding houses and saved their lived in boarding houses and saved their money so they could return to Hungary money so they could return to Hungary with enough money to buy a small farm. with enough money to buy a small farm. Hungarian remained the primary language Hungarian remained the primary language in this community up until the late 1930s. in this community up until the late 1930s.

Most of the first generation Hungarian Most of the first generation Hungarian immigrants never learned English. immigrants never learned English.


From 1928 to 1963 the neighborhood had its own weekly paper printed in Hungarian, The Hungarian Herald.

The paper featured news about the neighborhood as well as news about Hungary local Hungarian businesses advertised their sales in Hungarian.

The community held on strongly to their ethnic traditions and culture.

Holy Name SchoolHoly Name School

In the early years of the church the basement housed a small school for the parishioners children.

The children were instructed in Hungarian for many years. The church grew rapidly and before long a school building was constructed to meet the needs of the students.

In 1915 the four classroom school opened its doors for the first time.

During the Church's height as many as 80 students were in each classroom.

The school was operated by Sisters of the Precious Blood until its closing in 1962.

The Holy Name CommunityThe Holy Name Community

The area around Holy Name Church was a The area around Holy Name Church was a Hungarian village in the middle of Dayton, Hungarian village in the middle of Dayton, Ohio. Hungarians married Hungarians, Ohio. Hungarians married Hungarians, they spoke Hungarian, and did everything they spoke Hungarian, and did everything they could to preserve their culture. The they could to preserve their culture. The neighborhood kept to itself. Small neighborhood kept to itself. Small restaurants, bakeries, and groceries were restaurants, bakeries, and groceries were supported by the community. There was a supported by the community. There was a strong sense of belonging in this strong sense of belonging in this neighborhood. neighborhood.

The Holy Name CommunityThe Holy Name Community

This neighborhood This neighborhood was forced inward by was forced inward by discrimination and discrimination and oppression. By relying oppression. By relying on one another the on one another the neighborhood became neighborhood became strong and close knit. strong and close knit. This neighborhood This neighborhood was essentially a was essentially a small Hungarian small Hungarian Ghetto. Ghetto.

McKinley United Methodist Church McKinley United Methodist Church

McKinley United Methodist Church

McKinley United Methodist McKinley United Methodist ChurchChurch

McKinley United Methodist Church has McKinley United Methodist Church has existed at the same address on existed at the same address on Hawthorne Street on Dayton’s West Side Hawthorne Street on Dayton’s West Side for over 100 years. And though the for over 100 years. And though the community lost a lot of its industry and community lost a lot of its industry and residents due to the disinvestment that residents due to the disinvestment that took place over the years, the church took place over the years, the church decided to remain as a reflection of the decided to remain as a reflection of the congregation’s commitment to the congregation’s commitment to the community. community.


In 1880, Reverend Albert Matthews established a Baptist mission on Hawthorne Street known as “Little Jim.” This mission developed into the Hawthorne Street Methodist Episcopal Church. After a generous donation, the church changed its name to McKinley to honor President William McKinley.


During the great flood of 1913, the church was a During the great flood of 1913, the church was a relief station for the tremendous numbers of relief station for the tremendous numbers of displaced residents in the community. During the displaced residents in the community. During the great flood of 1913, the church was a relief station great flood of 1913, the church was a relief station for the tremendous numbers of displaced for the tremendous numbers of displaced residents in the community. residents in the community.

The church credits the cooperation of African-The church credits the cooperation of African-American and white Methodists for the American and white Methodists for the tremendous reduction of its debt during the early tremendous reduction of its debt during the early 1930s, a debt that would be totally eradicated by 1930s, a debt that would be totally eradicated by 1946. 1946.


McKinley was also the sight of the June 13, McKinley was also the sight of the June 13, 1918 memorial service for "Dayton’s First 1918 memorial service for "Dayton’s First Colored Soldier to Die in Battle.” Colored Soldier to Die in Battle.”

Several local Reverends and Dayton mayor, Several local Reverends and Dayton mayor, J. M. Switzer, spoke on behalf of Sergeant J. M. Switzer, spoke on behalf of Sergeant Joseph Henderson, a veteran of the Spanish-Joseph Henderson, a veteran of the Spanish-American War, who died May 18, 1918 American War, who died May 18, 1918 serving his country in World War I. serving his country in World War I.


McKinley United Methodist Church is a church that McKinley United Methodist Church is a church that was established and grew from the hard work and was established and grew from the hard work and commitment of its congregation, pastors, and commitment of its congregation, pastors, and community. It is home to several outreach community. It is home to several outreach programs that cater to all members of the programs that cater to all members of the community, regardless of age or economic community, regardless of age or economic conditions. And it is the hope of its congregation conditions. And it is the hope of its congregation that this continues. that this continues.

The members do not want McKinley to become a The members do not want McKinley to become a “fortress church,” where worshippers attend “fortress church,” where worshippers attend service and then drive away with no regard for the service and then drive away with no regard for the local population. local population.

Wayman Chapel Wayman Chapel African Methodist Episcopal ChurchAfrican Methodist Episcopal Church


In 1778, the African Methodist Episcopal Church (A.M.E) was established to provide its members of African descent the freedom to worship and gain self-respect and religious education.

In 1833, Dayton’s first African-American Church, and the first A.M.E. church to be registered in Ohio, was established.

Racism Hits Wayman Chapel Racism Hits Wayman Chapel African Methodist Episcopal ChurchAfrican Methodist Episcopal Church

In 1841, a mob of white looters vandalized the A.M.E. chapel and beat many of its members. The congregation fled the area, fearing for their lives, devastating the future of the church.

It was not until 1867 that a second congregation organized and became firmly established in the community. In 1882, the church was officially dedicated as the Wayman Chapel A.M.E. Church

Wayman A.M.E. GrowsWayman A.M.E. Grows

The church continued to grow throughout the The church continued to grow throughout the years, and established several programs to better years, and established several programs to better itself and the members of the community. itself and the members of the community.

In 1903, the Sunday school department was the In 1903, the Sunday school department was the first in the state to graduate a class in a Teacher’s first in the state to graduate a class in a Teacher’s Training program. Training program.

By 1920, the church had grown to over 300 By 1920, the church had grown to over 300 members, which included Matilda Dunbar and her members, which included Matilda Dunbar and her famous poet son, Paul Laurence Dunbar, before famous poet son, Paul Laurence Dunbar, before his untimely death. his untimely death.

Wayman A. M. E. Wayman A. M. E.

In 1923 the congregation built a new In 1923 the congregation built a new church on the northeast corner of West church on the northeast corner of West Fifth and Bank Streets, and was known as Fifth and Bank Streets, and was known as one of Ohio’s most modern facilities to be one of Ohio’s most modern facilities to be owned by African-Americans. owned by African-Americans.

The loyalty of its membership is clearly The loyalty of its membership is clearly documented when several of the church’s documented when several of the church’s members mortgaged their own homes to members mortgaged their own homes to ease the financial difficulties faced as a ease the financial difficulties faced as a result of the great depression of the result of the great depression of the 1930s. 1930s.


The church experienced tremendous growth in the years The church experienced tremendous growth in the years following World War II, due to the great urban influx of following World War II, due to the great urban influx of rural and Southern migrants who found employment with rural and Southern migrants who found employment with the local automotive industries and the Federal the local automotive industries and the Federal Government. The church and its parsonage located on Government. The church and its parsonage located on Horace Street were both refurbished, and by 1958 the Horace Street were both refurbished, and by 1958 the membership had grown to 751.membership had grown to 751.

The construction of the new interstate highway, I-75 displaced the church from it long established address on Fifth and Banks Streets, and in 1963 Wayman Chapel A.M.E. Church moved to its current address on Hoover Avenue.

Zion Baptist ChurchZion Baptist Church


On November 30, 1870, Zion Baptist Church was established in the West Dayton community. Listed as Dayton’s oldest African-American Baptist Church, it originated in the private home of Humphrey and Elizabeth Moody who lived on Mound Street.

In 1876 the congregation moved into their newly built church located at 40 Sprague Street and worshipped there until displaced by the construction of the Edwin C. Moses Highway in 1984. At that time, the congregation moved to their present place of worship at 1684 Earlham Drive.


For 114 years Zion Baptist Church resided in the West Dayton community, serving the needs of its congregation and segments of the population within the community.

For the first several years the growing congregation met at different member’s homes, rented halls, and for a short time leased a barn on Baxter Avenue (now Dunbar Avenue).

In 1873 the pastor, Albert Matthews, and two trustees bought the lot on Sprague for $370 and within three years the congregation was able to build a one-story brick church.


Zion Baptist Church was very active in the Zion Baptist Church was very active in the community. In 1922 the Ladies Sunday school community. In 1922 the Ladies Sunday school class began to administer food baskets to the class began to administer food baskets to the needy during the Christmas holidays, a tradition needy during the Christmas holidays, a tradition still practiced today. still practiced today.

The Who-so-ever Club reached out to the The Who-so-ever Club reached out to the community as witnessing ministry, and the community as witnessing ministry, and the Young Women’s Chorus was very popular and Young Women’s Chorus was very popular and performed at various community events. performed at various community events.

The church sponsored fund-raising events, and The church sponsored fund-raising events, and Matilda Dunbar, Paul Laurence Dunbar’s mother, Matilda Dunbar, Paul Laurence Dunbar’s mother, was just one of the many recipients of their was just one of the many recipients of their efforts. efforts.


Zion was home to several prominent members of the West Dayton community who actively worked within the neighborhood.

Moses H. Jones, considered the preeminent African-American attorney in Ohio, vigorously supported the Colored YMCA, as did Garfield Jones, owner of The Jones Funeral Home.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) first Dayton chapter was organized at Zion in 1915, and home to its weekly meetings.

Reverend Laurence McNeil, who became the pastor in 1933, actively supported the civil rights movement and was one of the founding members of the Dayton Urban League.

Documents

The Story of the Wright-Dunbar Neighborhood Houses of Faith Michael Zeller Doing History