A chance to learn more or forget less

Harry and the Potters headlined a WonderRoot show at the Magnetic Theater. I've known of this place for a long time. I've scouted for an event that would allow me to see inside. There I was on Sunday night: an ancient with the young rockers.

When I caught this view through the door, I knew I'd done the right thing. It was a chance to learn more or at least forget less.



It was St. Phillips A.M.E. Church and then Beardon A.M.E. Church on Wylie Street in Reynoldstown. It's deconsecrated. Now it's the Magnetic Theater and you can rent it from Kevin at Giant Sounds. You can have a meeting, a show, or a recording session.


The arch and chancel, the altar rail remains. It's quite handsome.


Sanctuary upstairs, Sunday school downstairs.


From the porch looking northwest it's classic Wylie Street. Norfolk Southern Railway's Inman Yard is on the other side of the fence. Cabbagetown is to the left. The Edgewood neighborhood is to the right. Inman Park is across the tracks.

West wall, you can see the sloped floor	North wall, entrance, triple arched windows. There used to be a balcony.	East wall

Kevin showed me the Beardon A.M.E "book."


The preface is a history of the St. Phillips A.M.E church."


The cornerstone is almost entirely unreadable. It's in the basement out of the weather. Maybe a rubbing can bring out the details.


The crepe myrtles are not the right planting here.


They hide the fine facade and triple window.


The tower wall features stone and shingles.


It doesn't have a bad side.


The windows are modest yet refined and sturdy.

The stained glass windows: Click a picture to enlarge. This isn't the definitive way to present windows but here they are for the record.

Some details:


The windows are the same except for the cartouche if that is the right word.




They get the job done.


I started with the left window, the east window in the south wall and went clockwise.

3 south windows

Harp	Lilly in chancel	Sheaf in chancel

6 west windows

Angel & shield	Lamb	Fruit, blooms "She hath done..."	10 Commandments	Dove	Eagle

5 north windows

Chalice & Grapes	Grape bunch	Center arch?	Harp	Bible

6 east windows

Star	Grape leaves	Lyre	Menorah	Crown	Lamp

I hope to learn more.


When you tour Reynoldstown, make sure to see this brick beauty on Wylie Street in Reynoldstown. This was Bill Harrison's office when he designed my renovation, and Dean Garden.