First Baptist Church

The First Baptist congregation built the church, which was later became the Memorial Chapel, after they separated from the Greenfield Baptist Church 1852. The congregation constructed their church at the southwest corner (where the library and city hall is today) of Wauwatosa and North Avenue for $2800. The membership was strongly committed to abolitionism. On of their first actions was to pass a resolution stating "American slavery is not only an infringement of the rights of fellow man but a gross violation of the law of God. Therefore we cannot fellowship with any who hold slaves, or uphold the institution. Enoch Underwood and his wife Harriet used the closet of their home to shelter fugitive slaves. One such slave was Caroline Quarrels who escaped from St. Louis Missouri to Milwaukee via the Underground Railroad. She eventually made her way into Canada where she lived as a free woman.

The First Baptist Church was used for over thirty years, until a new church was constructed in 1888. Rev. Underwood's son, Federick (F.D) purchased the original church and lot for $3000. He had the furnishings removed, the floor leveled and loaned it to the Wauwatosa Lightguard for use as an armory from 1888 to 1914.

The high-ceiling hall on the second floor became a drill hall, meeting hall and gymnasium. The lower floor contained company quarters, locker rooms, officer's quarters, library and shower room. The Armory became the center of community social life for the young people of Wauwatosa. The Lightguard sponsored various athletic teams, who were renowned throughout the state for their abilities.

In 1914, F.D. Underwood moved the old Baptist Church/Armory to Section 6 of the Wauwatosa Cemetery , where it was remolded again to serve as a cemetery chapel. F.D. Underwood dedicated the Memorial Chapel to the memory off his parents, Reverend Enoch and Harriet Underwood and to the Reverend Luther and Harriet Clapp of Wauwatosa's Congregational Church.

Today the Memorial Chapel stands as a tool shed. This building with the potential of being listed on the National Register of Historic Places, instead stores lawn mowers and other equipment. It is badly in need of funds for restoration.

For additional information, go to Underwood Memorial Baptist Church website.