Second Ward High-501 S. Alexander Street
Opening in 1923 as Charlotte’s Colored High School for junior and senior classes, Second Ward operated as the only high school for African Americans. Students no longer had to attend church schools or leave the city for a high school education. In 1923 teachers and students made the transition from Myers Street School to Second
Ward High. Students entered high school in the 7th grade and graduated in the 11th grade. In 1940, students preparing to graduate had to stay another year to graduate from 12th grade. Like many schools today students attended English,
math, foreign languages, social studies, music, science, civics, biology, chemistry and physics. Students took more basic classes to prepare them for the real world work force. Classes such as home economics, cooking, tailoring, horticulture,
brick masonry and journalism gave students’ foundations to enter the working world or start college. Many students became members of the National Honor Society and received awards for vocational and academic achievements. Southern Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges made Second Ward an accredited high school. Second Ward was the heart of the neighborhood and the Charlotte community, many students walked miles to come to Second Ward. The Queen City Classic against West Charlotte held annually from 1948 showed how important the role of the school played in the community. As people from all over and alumni came to participate in the events that led up to the big game. William Stinson was the first principal of Second ward, with scares funds and resources Mr. Stinson establish academic and vocational curriculum. Mr. Stinson has been credited with helping students become successful men and woman, he was seen like a father figure to the students. At the end of 1966, Second Ward had over 1500 students a faculty of more than 125 and expanded curriculum to 98 courses. In 1969 the school was closed down as part of Charlottes’ urban renewal effort. The school was demolished and students placed at its rival school West Charlotte Senior High.
Myers Street School "Jacobs Ladder"
The largest elementary school in the late 1940’s for African American students. Located in Charlotte, NC at 515 South Myers Street. The only public school for black children, a wooden box would describe the physical appearance of the building. The school started with an estimated 16 teachers who taught all grade levels from 1st-8th grade, with eight classrooms. Including the principal Isabella Wyche. As more students came to Myers St. the school needed more room and addition were made to accommodate the growing population. There was a fire escape added for safety precautions. The children nicknamed the school “Jacobs Ladder” due to the exterior stair case that led down the side of the school. With the addition came new classrooms totaling 25, curriculum, and a cafeteria. As schools where being built for African America children many parent thought so much of Myer St. that they insisted that their children go where they had. As enrollment peaked the city went to strenuous measures to try and have students attend schools in their area. Students took pride in their appearance and just loved being kids. Many times on the walk to school they would stop by the store, joke around, and shoot the breeze. Rushing to make the school bell was a regular from more than most, any student late would not be allowed to stay and had to return home. Teachers were well-trained and excellent teachers of basic skills. Students were drilled to spell, read, know arithmetic fundamentals and write a legible hand. There was a personal bond of affection that existed between these early teachers and students. Teachers took pride in counseling, students displayed great respect for their teachers. Teachers made guidance a part of their teaching whenever they felt it was needed. Doctors, teachers, college presidents, lawyers and others in all walks of life began to climb the ladder of success at Old Myers Street School. Torn down as part of urban renewal. The site is now part of Metro School and the Aquatic Center.
The United House of Prayer for All People
Ask anyone today about UHOP and you will receive mixed reviews. Many either don’t know or only know what’s been told to them from others. But the UHOP had its start and successful rise to glory in the old
neighborhood of Brooklyn in Charlotte NC. Founder Bishop Charles M. Grace was born in Cape Verde Islands, Portugal. Bishop Grace moved and settled in New Bedford, Massachusetts in 1903. That’s where he started his first UHOP in 1919, his followers considered him a spiritual leader, counselor, and father. They called him daddy. It wasn’t until 1926 when Grace moved and built his first UHOP in Charlotte’s Brooklyn neighborhood that he reached his biggest success. At the time of his death (1960) the church he started had become a denomination and Grace a rich man. The church was torn down in 1970 as part of urban renewal and is now part of Marshall Park. The man and the neighborhood is gone but each September hundreds gather to pay respect to a man who started a church in a community that was thriving with African American culture. The parade route has changed but hundreds still flock to Charlotte NC each second weekend in September to watch a rich tradition. Which grew out of the Brooklyn neighborhood. Since the original building was torn down on McDowell St, followers gather at the Mother House on Beatties Ford Rd.
Friendship Baptist Church
Money was tight so churches bought building space in areas where whites moved out due to blacks moving in (white –flight). Located at 1st and Brevard for 70yrs until the urban renewal project came its way in1963. Renewal gutted many building within this neighborhood. Dozens of churches where whipped out families that once walked to theses churches on the corner, lost their homes and the center of their social lives. Once the plans were announced to renew their neighborhood in 1960, the land value went up and members who wanted to buy could not compete. This left an opening for white congregations with more funding to come in and purchase land at twice the amount. So First Baptist Church (Caucasian Congregation) purchased land at 3rd and Davidson at $439,000 for 8.5 acres twice as much as Friendships (Black Congregation) total budget to spend on land. With that Friendship was forced to move and their church building be torn down. Friendship and its 275 member families paid $35,000 for land on Beatties Ford Rd. where they still reside today.
Money was tight so churches bought building space in areas where whites moved out due to blacks moving in (white –flight). Located at 1st and Brevard for 70yrs until the urban renewal project came its way in1963. Renewal gutted many building within this neighborhood. Dozens of churches where whipped out families that once walked to theses churches on the corner, lost their homes and the center of their social lives. Once the plans were announced to renew their neighborhood in 1960, the land value went up and members who wanted to buy could not compete. This left an opening for white congregations with more funding to come in and purchase land at twice the amount. So First Baptist Church (Caucasian Congregation) purchased land at 3rd and Davidson at $439,000 for 8.5 acres twice as much as Friendships (Black Congregation) total budget to spend on land. With that Friendship was forced to move and their church building be torn down. Friendship and its 275 member families paid $35,000 for land on Beatties Ford Rd. where they still reside today.
Savoy Theater
One of five Charlotte’s theaters for “Negroes Only” and the largest located at
508 South McDowell Street, Charlotte, NC 28204. Opened in 1935 as The Royal
Theater home to films and plays until 1963 with seating for over 700. During its 28 year run it was located in
one of Charlotte’s most influential neighborhoods for African Americans known as
Brooklyn.
Some of the churches that were destroyed / relocated during urban renewal:
Brooklyn Presbyterian
East Stonewall AME Zion
Ebenezer Baptist
First Baptist
Friendship Baptist
Greater Mount Sinai Baptist
St. Paul Baptist
Shiloh Baptist
New Emanuel Congregational Christian
House of Prayer in Second Ward
Seventh Street Presbyterian
Mount Carmel Baptist
The churches that stayed downtown:
Little Rock AME Zion - built a new sanctuary on McDowell St.
Grace AME Zion - remained at its original location on Brevard St.
One of five Charlotte’s theaters for “Negroes Only” and the largest located at
508 South McDowell Street, Charlotte, NC 28204. Opened in 1935 as The Royal
Theater home to films and plays until 1963 with seating for over 700. During its 28 year run it was located in
one of Charlotte’s most influential neighborhoods for African Americans known as
Brooklyn.
Some of the churches that were destroyed / relocated during urban renewal:
Brooklyn Presbyterian
East Stonewall AME Zion
Ebenezer Baptist
First Baptist
Friendship Baptist
Greater Mount Sinai Baptist
St. Paul Baptist
Shiloh Baptist
New Emanuel Congregational Christian
House of Prayer in Second Ward
Seventh Street Presbyterian
Mount Carmel Baptist
The churches that stayed downtown:
Little Rock AME Zion - built a new sanctuary on McDowell St.
Grace AME Zion - remained at its original location on Brevard St.