Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Indianapolis

The Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, originally known as Indianapolis Station or the Vermont Street Church, holds a storied legacy as Indianapolis’s oldest African-American congregation, established in 1836. Its three-story church building, located on West Vermont Street, was constructed in 1869 and recognized as a historic landmark when added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.

Bethel AME was a cornerstone of Indianapolis's African-American community, aiding the antislavery movement and the Underground Railroad while championing education and social justice. It helped establish local NAACP and Women’s Federation chapters and supported the growth of other AME congregations, cementing its role as a spiritual and activist hub.

The Vermont Street church underwent several transformations following its original construction between 1867 and 1869. Distinctive features include a four-story tower, an east gable, and a west cross gable added during a major renovation in 1894; the original brick façade, partially obscured by a false metal and stucco façade in 1973–74; and a two-story parsonage, initially connected to the main church by an enclosed passageway and later repurposed as a church office. Despite these modifications, much of the building’s 19th-century character and historical significance was preserved.

The Vermont Street neighborhood, once the vibrant center of Indianapolis's African-American community, experienced dramatic changes following post-World War II urban development. Hotels, office spaces, and the Indiana University–Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus replaced much of the original residential fabric. By 2016, the aging church building was sold, and its structure was incorporated into a new hotel development.

The Bethel AME congregation, undeterred by the transition, built a new worship center on Zionsville Road in Pike Township, northwest Indianapolis, where it continues to serve the community.

The Bethel AME Church remains a symbol of perseverance and a testament to Indianapolis’s African-American heritage. Its contributions to the abolitionist movement, social activism, and community-building solidify its place as a cornerstone of the city’s history.