African Methodist Episcopal Church Building
309 East Fifth Street
Madison National Register District
Madison, Indiana

The African Methodist Episcopal Church, located at 309 E. Fifth Street in the National Register District of Madison, Indiana is one of two churches established in an area known as “Georgetown”. Within this area of Madison was an early African-American settlement and was represented by a small collection of homes, businesses and churches. The area also served as a strategic “first stop” on the Underground Railroad for fugitive slaves making their way to freedom by crossing the Ohio River—the dividing line between free and slave states. Fugitive slaves made their way to the “Georgetown” area and were then taken up to additional stops to the North in Jefferson County.

The African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church served as a community-gathering place and church for seventy years, and no doubt an informational source for those involved in the Underground Railroad. Research has revealed that members associated with the Fifth Street church were noted as active and perhaps even radical in their involvement in the Underground Railroad. Residents of Georgetown included William Anderson, Elijah Anderson, Griffin Booth, Joseph O'Neal and David Lott.

A Restoration Plan is currently being prepared for the site and additional research results may appear on this site as they are found. The property has been nominated as a National Network to Freedom site.

Related sites: www.eleutherian.org, National Park Service-Underground Railroad site

The property is open by appointment at this time. The property is one of 16 historic properties owned and operated by Historic Madison, Inc. a non-profit organization dedicated to education, promotion, and assistance in preservation and restoration of historic resources which protect our heritage and enhance the quality of life in Madison, Indiana. For additional information contact: Historic Madison, Inc. 500 West Street, Madison, Indiana 812-265-2967. hmihmfi@seidata.com