Goodwin Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Why it's listed
Set at the end of a narrow, tree-lined lane off Woodside Avenue in Amherst, this small Craftsman-style Bungalow church was completed in 1910 for the town's African Methodist Episcopal Zion congregation. The one-story building measures about 25 by 50 feet and has a hipped roof with deep eaves, exposed rafter ends, wood-shingled walls and a granite rubble foundation. A projecting gabled vestibule, topped with a Latin cross, marks the east-facing entrance, and a stained glass window commemorates parishioner Pearl Hawkins. The church replaced an 1869 chapel built near Amherst College, which was demolished around 1917. Funds for the new building came from congregation members, townspeople and college faculty, and local resident Moses Goodwin, for whose family it is named, owned the land during construction. The building has served Amherst's Black community for decades and retains much of its original fabric. Its plain design contrasts with the spires, stone towers and large windows of other local churches, which adds to its distinction.
Significance in brief: The church has been the place of worship for Amherst's Black community since its dedication in 1910, making it a local landmark and spiritual center (Criterion A). It also embodies early 20th century Craftsman design with exposed rafter ends, a hipped roof and wood-shingled walls, and is a well-preserved example of simple religious vernacular architecture (Criterion C).
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 00000416, listed April 28, 2000. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Woodside Ave., Amherst |
|---|---|
| County | Hampshire County |
| Listed | April 28, 2000 |
| Reference number | 00000416 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1910-1950 |
| Architectural style | Bungalow/Craftsman |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Black, Religion |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as well maintained and in good condition, with very few alterations since 1910; still used as a religious facility. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.37093, -72.52248 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 00000416.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5583683
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.