This is one of a series of postcards depicting local churches that was
published by the Rock Island Postcard Company early in the twentieth
century. It shows what may be Rock Island's oldest remaining church
building, certainly the oldest recognizable one. It was built in 1873 on
the southwest corner of 14th Street and 3rd Avenue. At that time, there
were three Presbyterian churches within walking distance of the courthouse
as well as others located elsewhere in the city. Each congregation met a
special need - some were ethnic (there was a German Presbyterian church),
others reflected social disagreements (some congregations had divided
because of opposing views on slavery).
It is reported that Suzanne Denkmann Hauberg attended Sunday school in this
building. The early congregation was apparently quite conservative, as Mrs.
Hauberg said, "They sang Psalms, not hymns, and they were opposed to musical
instruments in their church service." When more liberal members installed
an organ, she reported that at least one member left.
United Presbyterians later moved to a new church on the corner of 18th
Avenue and 24th Street where they remain today. They sold their old
building to the Wayman AME congregation in 1947. Wayman AME Church has
occupied this historic building since that time.
Brick detailing frames the window areas and eaves, creating strong shadow
lines that provide visual delight. These shadows are very pronounced on the
postcard photograph. The simple round arched windows are typical of the
Italianate style, and are similar to those used on homes during this time.
Notice the keystones above the windows - these are not just decorative, they
are structural, acting as a wedge to keep the arch from collapsing. The
front window is a bit fancier than the others, with wooden tracery creating
a pattern of smaller arches within the larger arch.
Notice, too, the beautiful wooden ornament in the gable, as well as the
rooftop finial. Unfortunately, this fragile feature has succumbed to time.
However even today there remains wood trim carved in a rope pattern around
the entrance, while the date of 1873 is still visible above the door.
Rock Island had several brickyards in the mid 1800s, and most brick was made
locally. As a result, many of Rock Island's oldest buildings are
constructed of solid brick. Years later, many were painted. While the
paint may have been an aesthetic choice, frequently paint was necessary, for
reasons which lies in the nature of brick itself as well in as the way
bricks are mortared together to create walls.
A brick, especially a very old one, is much like a loaf of good European
bread: It has a hard crust on the outside and is soft on the inside. The
hardness of the crust and the softness of the interior is the result of the
manufacture and firing (or baking, just like the bread) of the brick. Brick
that was fired at a high temperature for a long time would be much harder.
Brick is durable as long as the outer crust is intact. But damage to this
crust can result from weathering - rain and wind-blown erosion - or from
chipping of the surface during the freeze-thaw cycle when water penetrates
the mortar joints.
Once the crust is disturbed, additional erosion can be very rapid. Thus
once some deterioration of the surface occurred, owners usually painted in
an attempt to recreate the outer crust and hence protect the wall.
Unfortunately, sometimes the wrong kind of paint actually accelerated
deterioration, because it sealed the brick too effectively and didn't allow
moisture vapor to pass through. Modern sealers, which can be substituted
for paint, are transparent and breathable, but they must be reapplied every
two or three years. The lesson in all this? Don't disturb the surface of
old brick - especially by sandblasting or other abrasive cleaning methods.
And ... if the surface has been damaged or eroded, protect it with paint or
a sealer that is suitable for vintage brick.
United Presbyterian/Wayman AME Church is a very simple, sturdy yet highly
detailed structure. Although built without ostentation it was and remains a
beautiful, even elegant, building. And since it is still a church, it is
appropriate to recall the words attributed to architect Mies van der Rohe,
who was world renowned for his modern stripped-down International Style.
In architecture, according to Mies, "God is in the details." God was
definitely in the details of this church when it was built - and still is
present.
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