AFRICAN AMERICAN GOTHIC SERIES
Discover connections of Houston’s Black community to Gothic architecture at two events.
Due to an unexpected situation involving our speaker, this series of events must be postponed. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Houston Freedmen's Town Heritage Walking Tour
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Courtesy of Houston Freedmen’s Town Conservancy
A companion to the African American Gothic Event at Antioch Church
Enjoy a guided tour of the historic district of Freedmen's Town to see original structures that include homes, churches, and the brick streets paved by its emancipated leaders.
An additional highlight will be a visit to Bethel Church Park, a sacred space built in Gothic style that once served as a church for the community. Following a devastating fire, it is now a place of special memory.
Reception of creole cuisine follows the walking tour. Limited to 40 participants.
$25/person
10am - Noon
Departure Point: Freedmen’s Town Visitor Center | 1204 Victor Street
Free Parking: African American History Research Center at the Gregory School | 1300 Victor Street
Presented in grateful partnership with Houston Freemen’s Town Conservancy
African American Gothic Architecture, A Conversation
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Courtesy of Antioch African American Baptist Church
Join us to discover Houston’s African American connections to Notre-Dame through Gothic architecture!
At this in-depth conversation, Pastor Lou and Mrs. Jacqueline B. McElroy, Pastor and First Lady of the historic Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, the oldest African American Baptist Church in Houston, will be joined by historian of Gothic architecture Dr. Lindsay Cook to discuss the history and architecture of Antioch Church, as well as several other works of African American art and architecture that are in dialogue with Gothic architecture, in general, or Notre-Dame of Paris, specifically.
Antioch Missionary Baptist Church was founded by formerly enslaved individuals in January 1866 and by community leader Rev. John (Jack) Henry Yates who was the great-great-grandfather of Mrs. Jacqueline McElroy. The church is a UNESCO Routes of Enslaved Peoples Project site.
Free Admission
Free Parking - information here
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Antioch Missionary Baptist Church 500 Clay Street
This series of events is realized in partnership with the public body in charge of Notre-Dame de Paris
and is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance
and in grateful partnership with Antioch Missionary Baptist Church
