Paris, Tenn.–The Paris Historic Zoning Board unanimously approved a request to approve a nomination application for the historic Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church to the National Register of Historic Places.
In order for the application to move forward, it is required that the historic zoning commission review all National Register nominations within the city before they are presented to the State Review Board, according to Paris Community Development Director Jennifer Morris.
The nomination will be formally presented at the September 14 State Review Board meeting.
Quinn Chapel was built in 1917 and the parsonage was built circa 1910 and are located at 216 Church St. The original Quinn Chapel church building was constructed in 1868 and was located at the intersection of Curtis and Draper Streets. Quinn Chapel moved to its current location in 1908.
Current pastor is Rev. John Dandridge, who submitted research on the history of the church which is included in the nomination papers.
The original church burned down in 1916 and the current church completed in 1917. The church was expanded in the 1960s as the congregation grew. The church is located next to Paris City Cemetery.
According to the narrative in the application, Quinn Chapel holds historical significance in the lives and history of the local African-American community.
County Historian David Webb said because the building itself has been added to, it probably did not qualify for the National Register, although Quinn Chapel as a whole would.
According to the Tennessee Historical Commission, Quinn Chapel would be eligible for inclusion on the National Register due to the local signficance in the African-American community’s ethnic, social and religious history. It noted after review of the application that it was built for one of the oldest AME congregations in the area and has served as a focal point for significant gatherings and community events over the decades.
Photo by Shannon McFarlin.