Thorn Memorial Chapel
8 Hopper Street, Utica, New York | Unmarked Location
The forty-fourth annual convention of the New York State Woman Suffrage Association (NYSWSA) was held at Utica, New York, on Tuesday, October 15–18, 1912. The Thorn Memorial Chapel of the Tabernacle Baptist Church was the site of plenary sessions held on Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday, and Thursday. Additional venues included the Hotel Utica, the convention's headquarters, and the New Century Auditorium, site of a Thursday evening political event intended to draw a large audience of the general public.
Thorn Memorial Chapel is an annex at the rear of Tabernacle Baptist Church. The ornate church, built in 1865, has its entrance at 13 Clark Place. The chapel, constructed in 1905 as an educational annex, has its own rear-facing entrance at 8 Hopper Street. The congregation maintains the American Baptist tradition and now ministers to its original membership and refugees speaking the Karen language.
Thanks to Janice Reilly of the Oneida County History Center and Christopher Philippo for research assistance.
Thorn Memorial Chapel
Constructed in 1905, this annex to the 1865 Tabernacle Baptist Church fronts on Hopper Street, one block northeast of the church entrance on Clark Place.
Thorn Chapel, Medium View
Closer view of Thorn Memorial Chapel, where the 1912 convention of the New York State Woman Suffrage Association was held.
Thorn Chapel Entablature
This 1905 entablature above the main entrance door identifies Thorn Memorial Chapel.
Thorn Chapel and Tabernacle Church
This side view, taken from Hopper Street, shows Thorn Chapel at left and Tabernacle Baptist Church, to which it is connected, at right.
Tabernacle Church
The 1865 Tabernacle Baptist Church building fronts on Clark Place.
Associated Causes
Associated Historical Events
Forty-Fourth NY State Suffrage Convention
October 15–18, 1912