Drury University Restored Historic AME Church
The century-old Benton Avenue AME Church has reopened as a new educational and civil rights space in Springfield.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Religion — General
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Drury University has officially reopened the historic Benton Avenue AME Church following an extensive rehabilitation project. The site now serves as an educational gathering space and features a new exhibit dedicated to civil rights.
Why it matters
The restoration preserves a key piece of local history while repurposing the sanctuary for modern academic and community use. By maintaining original architectural elements, the university ensures the legacy of the congregation remains accessible to the public.
The landmark church structure is 100 years old, marking a century since its original 1926 completion. The property was purchased by the university in 2014 after the congregation, which had dwindled to 4 members, closed its doors.
The players
Drury University
This private university is an educational institution based in Springfield that acquired the church to repurpose it for academic use.
Reverend Oliver Brown
He was a prominent clergyman who served as the pastor of the Benton Avenue AME Church between 1959 and 1961.
The details
Drury University officials collaborated with former church members to rehabilitate the sanctuary while carefully preserving the original pews and pulpit. The building will now function as a multi-use hub for college classes, public lectures, and community events.
Timeline
The church structure was first completed in 1926.
Reverend Oliver Brown served as the church pastor from 1959 to 1961.
The church congregation closed its doors in July 2014.
Drury University purchased the historic property in 2014.
The church officially reopened on September 25, 2026.
Culture Shift
The restoration of the Benton Avenue AME Church follows a broader trend of institutional investment in preserving Springfield’s historic architectural landmarks. This project marks a shift toward repurposing religious spaces into public forums as legacy congregations face declining membership numbers.
Residents can now visit the sanctuary to participate in scheduled lectures and community events hosted by the university. The new exhibit provides local families and students with direct access to the site's history and regional civil rights resources.
The takeaway
The transformation of this landmark demonstrates how historic sites can find new purpose as educational centers. Local visitors should watch for upcoming university programming schedules to utilize the newly restored gathering space.
Further reading
For more information on the history of faith-based buildings in the region, visit the Religion — General section.
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