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About UsAbout the PearlHolding Functions
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HistoryThe Pearl of Portsmouth is the only historic African-American church structure in the state of New Hampshire. Built in 1868 as a Freewill Baptists Church, it was sold to the People's Baptist Church in 1915 and served the seacoast African-American community until the 1970s. SignificanceThe Pearl was the only Black-owned church in the state and one of only two black churches in northern New England until the mid-twentieth century. It is remembered by one long-time member as, "the center of Black society in Portsmouth," and is emblematic of accomplishments and struggles of African-Americans in northern New England. For more than seventy years, the Pearl Street Church served many African American charitable, social and political
activities until the building was sold in 1984. It was here that Martin Luther King, Jr. preached in 1952, while still a
divinity student at Boston University. The local chapter of the National Association of Colored People (NAACP) received
its charter here in 1958.
Current ConditionRemodeled in 1984 for a restaurant that later closed, the building was subsequently purchased by Margaret Britton, spiritual advisor to the Unity congregation. She operated the former sanctuary as a function hall for a wide range of weddings, community forums and nonprofit meetings. The building was purchased in 2005 by Gary and Cindy Dodds. After adding a mezzanine and completing the renovations, the building is now being rented as a function hall for weddings, receptions, and business meetings. This building remains a vital piece of Portsmouth's larger social fabric. Now a site on the Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail, it is listed on the New Hampshire State Register and is pending listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Its preservation sends a message locally and nationally that New England recognizes the significance of African-Americans continuing contributions to the region's history and growth. The Restoration ProjectIn 2002 the Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail spearheaded the restoration of the Pearl Street Church with the support Boston University's nationally recognized Preservation Studies Program, directed by Prof. Richard Candee. Graduate students prepared the National Register nomination, researched local funding opportunities and advocated Block Grant funds for handicapped access, written grant proposals to state and national agencies, and exploring bank financing and income opportunities. In 2001 the National Trust for Historic Preservation funded a feasibility study for the renovation and in 2002 the Greater Piscataqua Foundation funded a capacity-building grant for fundraising and outreach. The Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities (SPNEA) is represented on the Friends of The Pearl Board and offered the Rundlet-May House, its 1807 museum property in Portsmouth's historic district, as the site for the restoration of the Pearl's belfry. This restoration, completed by contractor Aaron Sturgis of Preservation Timber Framing, Inc., took place between May and mid-September 2003. This offered many opportunities educate visitors on the restoration of this particular site, and on the Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail in general.  Download PDF of the (LCHIP) Grant Proposal
If you don't have Acrobat Reader you may want to go here to
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