MSU School of Architecture presents 'Mississippi African American Churches, 19th Century to 1920' exhibition

Mississippi ��APP’s School of Architecture is hosting a “Mississippi African American Churches, 19th Century to 1920” exhibition through Sept. 27 on the Starkville campus. Featured photos include this one of Bethel AME Church in Vicksburg, taken by MSU Assistant Professor of Architecture Christopher Hunter. (Submitted photo/by Christopher Hunter)

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi ��APP’s School of Architecture is hosting “Mississippi African American Churches, 19th Century to 1920” through Sept. 27 on the Starkville campus.

Located in McNeel Gallery at Giles Hall, the exhibition introduces and examines the historical, socio-cultural, religious and architectural influence people and events had on the design and construction of early African American church buildings constructed between 1800 and the 1920s.

Pews pictured below a stained glass window at Bethel AME Church in Vicksburg — The first African Methodist Episcopal Church in Mississippi and the first Masonic Lodge in Mississippi were organized in 1875 at Bethel AME Church in Vicksburg. (Submitted photo/by Christopher Hunter)

Admission is free.

The majority of the photos featured were taken by Christopher Hunter, MSU assistant professor of architecture. He said the exhibition is part of a broad effort to highlight African American church houses throughout the South.

On Wednesday [Sept. 11], Hunter will give a lecture about the exhibition at the “History is Lunch” forum, hosted by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. The lecture is being held in Jackson and will livestreamed beginning at noon.

For more information, visit or contact Hunter at 662-325-2202 or chunter@caad.msstate.edu.

Part of the College of Architecture, Art and Design, MSU’s School of Architecture is the state’s only curriculum leading to a professional degree in architecture. Learn more at .

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at .

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