HISTORY

Located in Charlotte’s Second Ward, the Brooklyn neighborhood was a predominantly black community that thrived as a self-sustainable town within a town. With vibrant shops, schools and places of worship, Brooklyn was home to some of the black community’s families from all socioeconomic backgrounds. During the 1960s and 1970s, Brooklyn was razed in Charlotte’s first wave of “urban renewal,” displacing thousands of neighborhood residents and ultimately destroying more than 1,480 structures. Below are some of the historic landmarks that made up what the Brooklyn neighborhood once was.

Brooklyn Village Plan

SOME OF THE CHURCHES THAT WERE DESTROYED OR RELOCATED DURING URBAN RENEWAL:

  • Brooklyn Presbyterian
  • East Stonewall AME Zion
  • Ebenezer Baptist
  • First Baptist (now First Baptist Church West)
  • Friendship Baptist
  • Greater Mount Sinai Baptist
  • House of Prayer in Second Ward
  • Mount Carmel Baptist
  • New Emanuel Congregational Christian
  • St. Paul Baptist
  • Seventh Street Presbyterian
  • Shiloh Baptist

 

THE CHURCHES THAT STAYED DOWNTOWN:

  • Little Rock AME Zion - built a new sanctuary on McDowell Street
  • Grace AME Zion - remained at its original location on Brevard Street but is no longer used as a church - The Grace is now used as an Event Space, Art Gallery and Music and Poetry Events sponsored by Blumenthal Performing Arts Center

SOME OF THE CHURCHES THAT WERE DESTROYED OR RELOCATED DURING URBAN RENEWAL:

  • Brooklyn Presbyterian
  • East Stonewall AME Zion
  • Ebenezer Baptist
  • First Baptist (now First Baptist Church West)
  • Friendship Baptist
  • Greater Mount Sinai Baptist
  • House of Prayer in Second Ward
  • Mount Carmel Baptist
  • New Emanuel Congregational Christian
  • St. Paul Baptist
  • Seventh Street Presbyterian
  • Shiloh Baptist

 

THE CHURCHES THAT STAYED DOWNTOWN:

  • Little Rock AME Zion - built a new sanctuary on McDowell Street
  • Grace AME Zion - remained at its original location on Brevard Street but is no longer used as a church - The Grace is now an event venue, as well as the home venue for Acoustic Grace, a monthly showcase for singer-songwriters and acappella performers, sponsored by the Brooklyn Collective and Blumenthal Performing Arts.

Creating History

Our public meetings provided clear guidance from many former residents who emphasized that they wanted a place that is historically memorable but not a 'new Brooklyn' or a place that is memorialized. The Development Partnership is committed to doing justice to the memory of what Brooklyn once was. Indeed, there is something transformational here with the nation's largest black developer leading the redevelopment of what was once a black neighborhood.

SUBMIT YOUR STORY


We love hearing memories from previous Brooklyn residents or community members. Submit your stories and fond memories through the form below. Have a photo? Let us know in the box below and we'll contact you soon!