| Cutler-Plotkin Jewish
Heritage Center
122 E. Culver St.
 The
Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center, the Valley's first Jewish
synagogue, was constructed in 1921. From 1921 to 1949, it was
the home of Congregation Beth Israel, used as both a synagogue
and a community center. It then housed the First Chinese Baptist
Church, Phoenix's first Chinese-speaking Christian Church, and
the Iglesia Bautista, a Spanish-speaking Baptist congregation.
As such, the center is an important symbol of the great diversity
of our city.
The Arizona Jewish Historical Society is restoring
the site as a museum and cultural center. When completed, it will
feature a series of first-person exhibits depicting the Jewish
experience in Arizona as well as the contributions that Jews have
made to Arizona and American life. When the center was built,
there were just over 100 Jews living in the Phoenix area; today
there are more than 83,000. The center is named for local civic
activists James and Bettie Cutler, and for Rabbi Albert Plotkin,
Rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel from 1955-1991.
Contact Information:
Arizona Jewish Historical Society
4710 North 16th St., Ste. 201 Phoenix, AZ 85016
Tel (602) 241-7870
Fax (602) 264-9773
email:azjhs@aol.com
www.azjhs.org
 Tanner
Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church
What is the history of Tanner Chapel
Methodist Episcopal Church?
Tanner Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Phoenix
is the oldest black congregation in Arizona. It was established
during the pioneer days when Charles Ward, N. D. Valentine, Laura
Valentine and Sister Bell met with the Reverend H. H. Hawkins
proposing the establishment of a Christian mission to foster “family
life”. Courthouse records show that in 1886, property was
owned by an African Methodist Episcopal Mission. The African Methodist
Episcopal Mission grew, and in 1899, another piece of property
was acquired at Second Street and East Jefferson. With this addition,
the African Methodist Episcopal Mission was named Tanner Chapel
African Methodist Episcopal Church in honor of Bishop Benjamin
T. Tanner. Some years later, Tanner’s Sarah E. Tanner Women’s
Missionary Society was established and named in honor of Bishop
Tanner’s wife.
Years later, the property at Second Street and Jefferson was sold,
and the present Eighth Street and Jefferson site was purchased.
Reverend A. H. Hamilton, Tanner’s pastor from 1926-1932,
served as the inspiration for building the new church. The “new”
Tanner Chapel was completed in 1929. The Reverend John L. Shaw
led Tanner Chapel in its Centennial Anniversary Celebration in
November 1987.
Today, Tanner Chapel continues its concern for the saving of souls
and Christian living, quality family life, economic development,
responsible citizenship, civic action and social welfare. Under
the pastoral leadership of the Reverend Dr. Benjamin N. Thomas,
Sr., and enabled by God, Tanner Chapel fosters an outreach ministry
of Christian care beyond its walls especially to the physically
challenged, the aged and sick, needy children, families, and the
homeless
What is the Church’s Focus
Today, Tanner Chapel continues its concern for the saving of souls
and Christian living, quality family life, economic development,
responsible citizenship, civic action and social welfare. Under
the pastoral leadership of the Reverend Dr. Benjamin N. Thomas,
Sr., and enabled by God, Tanner Chapel fosters an outreach ministry
of Christian care beyond its walls especially to the physically
challenged, the aged and sick, needy children, families, and the
homeless.
Contact Information:
Tanner Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church
20 S. Eighth Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034 Ph: 602-253-8426; Fax:
602-253-4079
email: tannerchapel@tannerchapel.org
http://tannerchapel.org/index.html
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