We took this photo of Eller Memorial Baptist Church late Tuesday afternoon as we were leaving the parking lot of McDonald's Restaurant on Summit Avenue. However, when we came home and began researching the church, we're thinking that the church-looking building behind this one, on 4th Street, is actually Eller Memorial Baptist and this is simply an office building. This flat-roofed structure circa 1960, we're guessing, was formerly an office building. We cannot find a website for Eller Memorial Baptist; however, the name Eller is connected to the church history of Greensboro in the late 1800's and early 1900's.
William Hamilton Eller was born in Wilkes County, North Carolina in 1842. His parents moved their family, by covered wagon, to Iowa in 1852 to be with relatives and to distance themselves from slavery. William was quite precocious and had the good fortune of being surrounded by people who saw to it that he received a formal education. William served in the military, became a minister, teacher, editor, lawyer and judge. He objected strongly to drinking alcohol and at one time was part owner in Keeley Institute, a national organization, based in North carolina that treated alcoholics and drug addicts. In 1896, he entered the baptist ministry in Greensboro. Eller loved establishing churches and was instrumental in starting eleven churches. In 1923, the year after Eller's death, Cherry Street Baptist Church was renamed "The Eller Memorial Baptist Church" In 1925, the new building was built on the corner of Walnut and Fourth Streets with 24 of the 25 thousand dollars for Eller Memorial Baptist being donated by Cone Mills. Herman Cone, while Jewish, was an ardent supporter of religious freedom and wanted to fund a church that served his mill community. Read more about the Ellers published by Lynn Eller in 1990 (reference).
Now, we're anxious to return and photograph what we're guessing is the main church building. In the meantime, enjoy today's photo, and, if you have any information, please post it in the comment section.
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