The historic St. Annie African Methodist Episcopal Church is set to be transformed into a duplex as plans were given the green light by the Historic Landmark Commission last week. The celebrated chapel on Newton Street, a cultural anchor among Austin's shifting landscapes, will retain its iconic steepled form through extensive renovations.
St. Annie's has stood as a testament to the Black community's presence and perseverance since its establishment in 1915 when Bouldin Creek, now largely inhabited by white residents, harbored the Brackenridge neighborhood, a populous area for newly-freed slaves. The church's impending relocation and repurposing resonate with a broader trend, as several African American churches in Austin grapple with gentrification and escalating property values. A state bill from 2019 compounds these challenges by exempting churches from historic designations without their consent, a move that underscores the complex landscape these religious institutions navigate, as per Austin Monitor.
Amidst concerns over the erasure of Black cultural sites, Democratic state Rep. Sheryl Cole, herself a parishioner of David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, voiced support for the 2019 legislation. Cole stated that the bill facilitates church relocations to better facilities "without city interference," hinting at the sacrifice many such congregations must consider for survival and growth, according to the Austin Monitor.
Craig Hoverman, the architect at helm of St. Annie's renovation project, has worked closely with both Pastor Derwin Gipson and past Commission Chair Terri Myers to preserve the church's historical integrity. "I know this church very well and have talked with the congregation at length for many years about their possible options … and this is the best outcome we could have imagined," said Commission Chair Ben Heimsath in support of the project, as reported by Austin Monitor.
