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[[Image:Pythian_Temple_2010.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Pythian Temple in June 2010]]
[[Image:Pythian_Temple_2010.jpg|right|thumb|275px|Pythian Temple in June 2010]]
The '''Pythian Temple''' is a six-story brick office building located at 310 [[18th Street North]] in what is now Birmingham's [[Civil Rights District]]. The building was constructed in [[1913]] by the black-owned [[Windham Construction]] for the [[Alabama Penny Savings Bank]], which was relocating from their 1890 building a block south.
The '''Pythian Temple of Alabama''' is a six-story brick office building located at 310 [[18th Street North]] in what is now Birmingham's [[Civil Rights District]]. The building was constructed in [[1913]] by the black-owned [[Windham Construction]] for the [[Alabama Penny Savings Bank]], which was relocating from their 1890 building a block south.


Some have identified the style of the Pythian Temple with the work of African American architect [[Wallace Rayfield]], who kept an office in the building under both owners for a time. The bank did provide financing for many of the homes that Rayfield designed for Birmingham's black professionals. One of the bank's directors, [[Arthur Brown]], had hired Rayfield to design his own home and he and another physician who practiced from the Pythian Temple, had been among those lobbying for the rebuilding of [[Thomas School]], which was also designed by Rayfield.
Some have identified the style of the Pythian Temple with the work of African American architect [[Wallace Rayfield]], who kept an office in the building under both owners for a time. The bank did provide financing for many of the homes that Rayfield designed for Birmingham's black professionals. One of the bank's directors, [[Arthur Brown]], had hired Rayfield to design his own home and he and another physician who practiced from the Pythian Temple, had been among those lobbying for the rebuilding of [[Thomas School]], which was also designed by Rayfield.


When the Penny Savings Bank folded in [[1915]], the building was purchased by the [[Grand Lodge of the Knights of Pythias]] which rechristened it the Pythian Temple.
When the Penny Savings Bank folded in [[1915]], the building was purchased by the [[Grand Lodge of the Knights of Pythias]] for $70,000. The lodge rechristened the building as the Pythian Temple. In the middle of the 20th century the building was sold to entrepreneur [[A. G. Gaston]]. He used it for offices for several subsidiaries to the [[Booker T. Washington Insurance Company]], and had a personal office in the building.


In [[1980]], the Pythian Temple was added to the [[List of buildings on the National Register of Historic Places|National Register of Historic Places]].
In [[1980]], the Pythian Temple was added to the [[List of buildings on the National Register of Historic Places|National Register of Historic Places]].


==Current Status==
In August [[2012]], brothers [[Howard McKay|Howard]] and [[Adam McKay]] purchased the multi-tenant office building, which at the time was about 20 percent leased. While the McKays live in Washington, D.C., they are Birmingham natives, and plan to renovate the building with the goal of preserving its historic character. The offices of the [[Birmingham History Center]] relocated to the Pythian Temple building in [[2014]].
 
In August 2012, brothers Howard and Adam McKay, purchased the multi-tenant office building, which at the time was about 20 percent leased. While the McKays live in Washington, D.C., they are Birmingham natives, and plan to renovate the building with the goal of preserving its historic character.
 


==Tenants==
* 2nd floor
** 201: [[Knights of Pythias Grand Lodge]] offices (1953)
** 204-208: [[Porters' Club]] restaurant (1953)
* 3rd floor
** 301-303: [[Henry Bryant]] physician (1953)
** 304: [[Billings Jewelry Repair Shop]] (1953)
** 308-310: [[William R. Brown]] dentist (1953)
** 315: [[Grand Court of Calante]] (K of P) offices (1953)
** 316-321: [[Flamingo Club]] restaurant (1953)
* 4th floor
** 402-403: [[Zamor's Radio & Television School]] (1953)
** 405-406: [[Edwin Witt]] physician (1953)
** 408-409: [[Sanks' Club]] restaurant (1953)
** 414: [[Joella Smith]] artificial flowers (1953)
* 5th floor
** 501-503: [[Oscar Adams Jr]] attorney (1953)
** 504-505: [[Tri States Evangelical Board]], [[National Primitive Baptists of the USA]] (1953)
** 506-507: [[Collins' Tailor]] (1953)
** 512-513: [[Modern Free & Accepted Colored Masons of the World & Affiliated Eastern Star Inc.]] (1953)
* 6th floor (hall)
** [[Iron City Lodge No. 3]], [[St Luke Lodge No. 23]], [[Myrtle Lodge No. 222]], [[Eunice Lodge No. 180]], [[Adams Delight Court No. 24]], [[Willie Mae Star Court No. 286]], [[Mayflower Court No. 286]], [[Evergreen Court No. 299]], [[Esther Pool Chapter No. 211-B]], [[Smithfield Lodge No. 145]], [[True Love Chapter No. 205]]


==References==
==References==
* Jefferson County Historical Commission. (1998) ''Birmingham and Jefferson County, Alabama'' Images of America Series. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN0752413465
* Jefferson County Historical Commission. (1998) ''Birmingham and Jefferson County, Alabama'' Images of America Series. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN0752413465
* Poe, Ryan (2012). "Historic Pythian Temple Gets New Owner, New Life". Birmingham Business Journal.
* Poe, Ryan (2012) "Historic Pythian Temple Gets New Owner, New Life". {{BBJ}}
* Richter, Jeremy (October 2015) "[http://www.jeffcohistory.com/newsletter_Oct_15_pg2.html Now and Then]". ''The Jefferson Journal''. Birmingham Jefferson County Historical Association, No. 4 p. 2


[[Category:18th Street North]]
[[Category:Pythian Temple|*]]
[[Category:1913 buildings]]
[[Category:1913 buildings]]
[[Category:Wallace Rayfield buildings]]
[[Category:Wallace Rayfield buildings]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Birmingham]]

Latest revision as of 16:44, 21 October 2020

Pythian Temple in June 2010

The Pythian Temple of Alabama is a six-story brick office building located at 310 18th Street North in what is now Birmingham's Civil Rights District. The building was constructed in 1913 by the black-owned Windham Construction for the Alabama Penny Savings Bank, which was relocating from their 1890 building a block south.

Some have identified the style of the Pythian Temple with the work of African American architect Wallace Rayfield, who kept an office in the building under both owners for a time. The bank did provide financing for many of the homes that Rayfield designed for Birmingham's black professionals. One of the bank's directors, Arthur Brown, had hired Rayfield to design his own home and he and another physician who practiced from the Pythian Temple, had been among those lobbying for the rebuilding of Thomas School, which was also designed by Rayfield.

When the Penny Savings Bank folded in 1915, the building was purchased by the Grand Lodge of the Knights of Pythias for $70,000. The lodge rechristened the building as the Pythian Temple. In the middle of the 20th century the building was sold to entrepreneur A. G. Gaston. He used it for offices for several subsidiaries to the Booker T. Washington Insurance Company, and had a personal office in the building.

In 1980, the Pythian Temple was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

In August 2012, brothers Howard and Adam McKay purchased the multi-tenant office building, which at the time was about 20 percent leased. While the McKays live in Washington, D.C., they are Birmingham natives, and plan to renovate the building with the goal of preserving its historic character. The offices of the Birmingham History Center relocated to the Pythian Temple building in 2014.

Tenants

References

  • Jefferson County Historical Commission. (1998) Birmingham and Jefferson County, Alabama Images of America Series. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN0752413465
  • Poe, Ryan (2012) "Historic Pythian Temple Gets New Owner, New Life". Birmingham Business Journal
  • Richter, Jeremy (October 2015) "Now and Then". The Jefferson Journal. Birmingham Jefferson County Historical Association, No. 4 p. 2
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