Public gets to weigh in on Black church site
Officials offer 8 preservation options after park project at San Pedro Creek uncovers 1800s slab of AME church
SAN ANTONIO — Residents are in the final stretch of giving input on what they think is the best way to preserve and promote historical finds at San Pedro Creek, including what’s left of one of the oldest Black churches in Texas.
A cluster of structural foundations discovered last year during construction on the San Pedro Creek Culture Park project, including an 1870s slab of an early St. James AME Church, which is still an active congregation in another location.
Written comments will be accepted through March 8 and feedback from virtual meetings will be sent to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to determine how best to address competing interests in the project that include flood control, economic development, storytelling, architecture and archaeology.
The redesign options are detailed on the Culture Park website, spcculturepark.com.
Steve Graham, interim general manager of the San Antonio River Authority, project manager of the Bexar County-funded Culture Park project, said all eight options preserve the heritage of the site, as well as the cornerstone that says, “AME Church.”
“We believe all eight options celebrate the history and culture of that site,” Graham told the San Pedro Creek Culture Park Subcommittee during the panel’s virtual monthly meeting last week.
The archaeological site is located southwest of the intersection of Houston Street and Camaron Street, on the east bank, across the creek from the Alameda Theater.
Nearly a year has passed since the project team uncovered the building foundations dating back to the 1800s, connected to at least three known industrial sites as well as the church. An entertainment plaza is planned for the site.
Archival research has linked the foundations to the Klemcke/ Menger Soapworks (1847-1859), Alamo Icehouse (1878-1887) and Alamo Icehouse & Brewery (18871904). The Corps of Engineers has determined that two of the foundations — the soapworks and St. James Church — are eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
Graham noted that all but one redesign option would leave the church foundation buried, in accordance with best practices to preserve archaeological assets. “Option B2,” at an estimated cost of $1.28 million, would remove about 85 percent of historic stone walls and display the church site under structural glass. But Graham said that could pose problems.
“We’ve been told by experts that generally doesn’t work. Water gets in there and damages the foundation,” he said.
All eight options would keep both east corners of the church foundation intact, including the cornerstone on the northeast. Authorities have not determined what will be done with the cornerstone.
The Conservation Society of San Antonio has announced support for Option C3, which would interpret the church wall locations with stone pavers. Society president Patti Zaiontz said that scheme “manifests the full building foundation, provides a creekside walkway, offers open space for programming and events, and contains 100-year flows within the channel.” That option is projected to cost $2.27 million.
Graham said he views the discovery of the foundations as a blessing.
“It’s caused a delay in the project but it’s an opportunity to tell that story and to celebrate it. It’s just how do we do that,” he said.
During a virtual presentation last month on the St. James site, Everett Fly, a co-founder of the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum, said the church is connected to clergy leaders who became bishops in the national AME Church. Some of its parishioners held elected offices and were schoolteachers and volunteer firefighters.
“They were strong advocates for abolition, education, voting rights and civil rights,” Fly said. “Some of them were on the first list or roll of Black men registered to vote in Bexar County.”
The public has until March 8 to weigh in on the issue through comments that can be sent by mail or email to the Corps of Engineers. Comments may be sent by mail to: CESWF-PEE-C, ATTN: Ms. Leslie Crippen; P.O. Box 17300 Fort Worth, TX; 76102-0300. The email address is DLL-CESWF-SPCIPComments@usace.army.mil.