The former home of once-segregated Engine Company No. 11 is now owned by Waters Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church, and Rev. Stephanie Atkins hopes that its history and significance will once again bring the community together, writes Jon Caroulis for Billy Penn at WHYY.

Engine 11 was “one of 22 fire companies established under the Philadelphia Fire Department in 1871,” states the Pennsylvania Historical Marker in front of the building. “In 1919, it became a segregated African American unit whose members distinguished themselves through professional service.”

Isaac Jacobs, the first Black firefighter in the Philadelphia Fire Department, joined Engine 11 in 1886. By 1918, only African-American firefighters were assigned to Engine 11.

Engine 11 moved to its new home in 1976. Meanwhile, the three-story structure that was its original home is owned by the adjacent Waters Memorial AME Church.

The building is currently used to host weddings and funeral receptions. The second floor is where food for those in need is stored until being distributed.

“It’s a space with a lot of potential,” said Atkins. “The challenge for me has been to get persons who want to help me fund and or look for funding, to be able to make it a community space.”

Read more about the history of Engine 11 and its hopeful future in Billy Penn at WHYY.

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