Goler Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Also known as: Old Goler
Why it's listed
Brick church at the northeast corner of Patterson Avenue and East Seventh Street in Winston-Salem, erected in 1918-1919 for a congregation organized in 1881 as Winston Tabernacle AME Church. Its gable-front facade has two square corner towers, pointed-arch doorways with cast stone framing, buttresses, and stained glass windows, and it is regarded as a well-preserved example of the late Gothic Revival style. A fire in 1941 destroyed the principal tower and the upper walls and roof, and the building was rebuilt in 1946 with a two-story rear annex. The church is considered the most prominent surviving building of the Depot Street neighborhood, which was a centre of African-American life in the city for much of the twentieth century. Its significance rests on its architectural distinction and its role in the social, economic and political life of the community. Today it houses a soup kitchen and a children's evening meal program in its basement Fellowship Hall.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church is one of the principal African-American architectural monuments in Winston-Salem and the only remaining brick Gothic Revival church built originally for an African-American congregation in the city. It is also presented as representing the growth of the Depot Street neighborhood and the community life of its congregation since 1881. The building is described as a little-changed example of Gothic Revival church architecture.
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 98000727, listed June 26, 1998. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 630 Patterson Ave., Winston-Salem |
|---|---|
| County | Forsyth County |
| Listed | June 26, 1998 |
| Reference number | 98000727 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1918-1948 |
| Architectural style | Late Gothic Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Black, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Rebuilt after a 1941 fire; the upper tower and gable were restored in 1946 and the congregation has remained in the building, with ongoing community outreach programs. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 36.10243, -80.24145 (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 98000727.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5580471
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.