Second Baptist Church
422 S. 18th St., Centerville, IAThe Second Baptist Church of Centerville, Iowa from 1902 is locally significant under Criterion A for its association with a strong black community in a southern Iowa town, and it meets Criteria Consideration A as it derives its significance from its ethnic association.
Although no records or written history exist prior to 1902, it is said that the 2nd Baptist congregation was organized in 1893 by the Reverend P.W. Jones with 12 members. No list of names, addresses, and occupations has been located. It is believed, however, that many, if not most, were involved in coal mining.
Coal mining began in Appanoose County in the 1870s with important mines located in the Mystic and Centerville area. By 1895 Appanoose County boasted more mines than any other county in the state, with a map indicating the location of over 80 mines within its boundaries. The mining industry hired many minority groups, including European immigrants and blacks. Following the Civil War, many former slaves moved north into Iowa. The 1880 U.S. census showed 40 blacks living in Centerville, only two of which were not born in a southern state, and both of these were children. By 1895 the number of blacks in Centerville had grown to 188 and represented 3.39 percent of the population.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1999.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.