Interior photo of a church sanctuary after it was rehabilitated.

St. Mark’s African Methodist Episcopal Church Restoration

Client

St. Mark's African Methodist Episcopal Church

Services

Architectural Design, Interior Design, Planning

Specialty

Historic Preservation

Location

Topeka, KS

Size

4,200 GSF

Sustainability

Antella, Bartlett & West, Elite Construction, Hoefer Custom Stained Glass

Black and white historic photo of a brick and stone church.

A living legacy of justice and community

From the Exoduster movement to the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case, St. Mark’s African Methodist Episcopal Church stands as a powerful symbol of resilience, faith, and social change. This historic Black church is deeply rooted in Topeka’s cultural identity and national civil rights history.

Treanor partnered with the St. Mark’s congregation to restore the church—preserving its historic character while preparing it for continued use as a place of worship, gathering, and advocacy.

Restoring history, reinforcing purpose

The project focused on both the upper-level sanctuary and the lower-level fellowship hall. Past flooding and termite damage had weakened the sanctuary’s structure, requiring replacement of floor beams, joists, and support columns. The sanctuary’s original hardwood floors were restored, while new carpeting added comfort and warmth.

A previously installed acoustic tile ceiling was removed to reveal and restore the original painted beadboard ceiling. Where water damage had destroyed material, new wood was milled to match the original profile. Historic pendant lights were updated with LED retrofits, and supplemental lighting was added to improve visibility.

All wood wainscoting and trim were restored. New insulation above the ceiling improved energy efficiency, paired with fully updated electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems for a comfortable, code-compliant environment.

Interior photo of a church sanctuary before it was rehabilitated.

Interior photo of a church sanctuary during construction with the walls stripped down to the studs.

Photo featuring a church's new stair and vertical lift after replacement.

Enhancing accessibility with long-term flexibility

A new, code-compliant sanctuary exit was added, replacing a non-historic raised platform and reusing an existing window opening to create a fully accessible exit. The new door accommodates a future north-side addition that will connect both building levels.

Budget constraints required a creative solution for vertical access. Rather than a new elevator and stair tower, Treanor designed an interior ramp and vertical lift, both fully functional and removable for future relocation. This phased approach provides immediate accessibility while allowing for long-term flexibility.

Photo featuring a church's stair and chair lift before replacement. — Stair and chair lift before replacement.

An interior photo of a church sanctuary after it was rehabilitated with a lift in the foreground and a piano and stairs in the background. — Vertical lift and new stair in the sanctuary.

Photo of stained-glass window featuring the retained flood line from a historic flood.

Preserving the building’s story through detail

The church’s iconic stained-glass windows were fully restored. Sashes were removed and repaired off-site in phases so services could continue uninterrupted. Wood frames were repaired on-site, and protective storm windows added. Each nameplate bearing the high-water mark from the 1951 flood was carefully preserved, a visible reminder of the church’s enduring history.

Significant changes were made to the lower-level fellowship hall. New ADA-compliant restrooms and a new modern kitchen were created. New energy-efficient lighting, electrical, and HVAC systems have increased the flexibility of this multipurpose space.

Photo of exit ramp leading out of a church fellowship hall.

Photo of church kitchen with an island in the center and appliances to the left and right.

Photo of church kitchen with new appliances, flooring, and cabinetry.

Exterior work rooted in authentic restoration

The exterior masonry was completely repointed using compatible mortar, and both the sloped and flat roofs were replaced. Lower-level wood windows were restored or reconstructed to match original profiles.

One of the most meaningful restorations came in the form of the deteriorated cornerstone. While much of the text had faded, archival research confirmed the name of Pastor A.A. Allen and the 1921 construction date. Church records praised Allen’s leadership—his name was precisely re-carved into the new stone, preserving his legacy for future generations.

A photo of the exterior of a brick and stone church before it is rehabilitated. — Before restoration

A photo of the exterior of a brick and stone church after it is rehabilitated. — After restoration

Photo featuring a deteriorated and unreadable cornerstone before replacement. — Cornerstone before replacement.

A community-centered approach

Throughout the project, Treanor collaborated closely with the Kansas State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service to ensure compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.

Before construction, we helped the church secure a National Park Service African American Civil Rights grant in 2017 and assisted in preparing its successful nomination to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019.

Looking ahead

St. Mark’s AME is more than a place of worship—it’s a cultural touchstone. This restoration honors its past while ensuring it remains a beacon of hope, service, and unity.

Thanks to this work, the church is positioned to continue its ministry and mission—social, spiritual, and community-based—for decades to come.