Ward Chapel AME Church

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2024.

From the record

One of 7 National Register listings published here for Alexander County · listed in 2024 · category: Building.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

The listing

Still standing. The Park Service records this property as extant.
Address. 420 17th Street, Cairo, 62914
When was it listed? August 2024
Category. building
Precinct. Cairo precinct
National Register reference number. 100010699 - assigned by the National Park Service when the property was listed.

Fires near this property

4 since 2003

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 4 fires within 5 miles of Ward Chapel AME Church between 2003 and 2017, burning about 21 acres in total. None started naturally. None was recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause	Fires
Missing data/not specified/undetermined	3
Equipment and vehicle use	1

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

Date	Cause	Size	Reported by	Name on the report
27 April 2012	Missing data/not specified/undetermined	under an acre	Kentucky Division of Forestry	ACROSS DIS
5 February 2003	Missing data/not specified/undetermined	under an acre	Kentucky Division of Forestry	not named
29 November 2008	Equipment and vehicle use	20 acres	Kentucky Division of Forestry	not named
26 November 2017	Missing data/not specified/undetermined	1.0 acres	Missouri Department of Conservation	not named

Every fire recorded in Alexander County

Storms near this property

60 of 119 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Cairo, the town this property stands in, in 119 storm reports between 1995 and 2025: 77 flood, 19 thunderstorm wind, 9 hail, 6 flash flood. No death or injury is recorded in these reports. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

When	Event	Place named	Harm	What the report says
May 2011	Flood	Cairo	$1,000,000	Record flooding occurred on the Ohio River. At the Cairo river gage, the flood crest of 61.72 feet on the evening of May 2 broke the previous record of 59.50 feet set in 1937. The activation of the New Madrid Floodway by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers spared Cairo (population 2,800) from an even higher crest that could have easily overtopped the city's levees. With the detonation of the Mississippi River levee at Birds Point, Missouri, the Ohio River dropped suddenly at Cairo. The entire city of Cairo was placed under a mandatory evacuation order as the Ohio River approached the top of the levees protecting the city. Only about 40 people remained behind after the evacuation. Due to heavy rain and backed-up sewers, several blocks within the city experienced basement flooding despite being protected by levees. Some streets in the city were undermined by seepwater. Most routes into and out of the city were blocked by flooding, including Route 3 to the north and both bridges to the south (over the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers). A main rail line that runs through Cairo was shut down due to a large landslide.
February 2000	Thunderstorm Wind	Cairo	$500,000	A short-lived but very intense thunderstorm microburst caused about a half million dollars damage in the center of Cairo. The affected area, which was 5 city blocks wide and about a mile long, was primarily residential. A total of 52 buildings were damaged or destroyed. Of these 52, eight were businesses, seven were outbuildings or garages, and the rest were houses. Five of the residences were moved off their foundation and considered total losses. In another 25 buildings, windows were blown out and roofs were damaged. For the remaining structures, the damage was relatively minor, consisting of porch damage or gutters blown off. Initial reports indicated there were some minor injuries, however, later investigation revealed no injuries.
March 1997	Flash Flood	Cairo	$400,000	no account filed
March 2018	Flood	Cairo	$350,000	Major flooding continued on the Ohio River from late February. At the Cairo river gage, the river crested at 54.8 feet on March 3. This was the 10th highest crest on record at Cairo, and it was 1.3 feet below the flood crest of January, 2016. Flood stage there is 40 feet. The bridge connecting Cairo with Wickliffe, KY was closed due to floodwater over the bridge approach on the Kentucky side. The bridge, which carries U.S. Highway 51/60/62 over the Ohio River, was closed for about one week. Most of the flood gates were installed at Cairo. Areas not protected by the levee and floodwall system were inundated. Since the crop season was not underway, agricultural losses were quite small.
July 2023	Flash Flood	Cairo	$150,000	no account filed
March 2019	Flood	Cairo	$100,000	Major flooding continued on the Ohio River from February into March. At the Cairo river gage, the river crested at 56.51 feet on the 1st. This was just a few inches above the crest of 56.2 feet in the flood of March, 1997. This flood crest was tied with the flood of April, 1975 for the second highest crest since the Flood of 1937. The flood of Spring, 2011 remains the highest crest since 1937. Flood stage at Cairo is 40 feet. U.S. Highway 60/62 was closed at the Ohio River bridge to Kentucky. This road serves as a primary link between Kentucky and Illinois. A detour of about 80 miles was required for commuters in the area. The governor of Illinois surveyed the flooded part of the county. There was extensive flooding of low-lying woods, fields, and parks. The impacts were very similar to the March, 1997 flood. Most of the flood gates were installed at Cairo. Areas not protected by the levee and floodwall system were inundated. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers installed a high-capacity pump near Urbandale to remove water from heavy rainfall on the protected side of the levee. Since the crop season was not underway, agricultural losses were insignificant.
March 2011	Flood	Cairo	$100,000	no account filed
February 2019	Flood	Cairo	$50,000	Major flooding occurred on the Ohio River. U.S. Highway 60/62 was closed at the Ohio River bridge to Kentucky. This road serves as a primary link between Kentucky and Illinois. A detour of about 80 miles was required for commuters in the area. The governor of Illinois surveyed the flooded part of the county. There was extensive flooding of low-lying woods, fields, and parks. Through February, the impacts were very similar to the March, 1997 flood. Most of the flood gates were installed at Cairo. Areas not protected by the levee and floodwall system were inundated. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers installed a high-capacity pump near Urbandale to remove water from heavy rainfall on the protected side of the levee. Since the crop season was not underway, agricultural losses were insignificant. The Ohio River did not crest until March at the Cairo river gage.
June 2019	Flood	Cairo	$50,000	The Ohio River remained above flood stage since February 8 and through the month of June. This was the most prolonged flood on the Ohio River since records began at Cairo in the late 1800's. The highest recorded stage in the month of June (2019) was 51.54 feet, which corresponds to the moderate flood category. At this stage, the flooding has a significant impact on farming operations in the flood plain, causing some farmers to lose crops. However, farmers never were able to plant crops because this flood began in the winter. Riverside parks and recreational facilities remained underwater. Some side roads near the river were flooded. Due to the extended duration of the flooding, levees along the river were very stressed from saturation of the soil. Seepage was a concern, and relief wells caused water to rise on the land side of the levees. Moderate flooding continued into the month of July.
May 2019	Flood	Cairo	$50,000	The Ohio River rose above flood stage at Cairo on February 8 and remained above flood stage through the remainder of the spring. This was the most prolonged flood on the Ohio River at Cairo, IL since records began in the late 1800's. The highest recorded stage in the month of May (2019) was 50.53 feet, which corresponds to the moderate flood category. At this stage, the flooding has a major impact on farming operations in the flood plain, causing some farmers to lose crops. In this prolonged flood, farmers never really had the chance to plant in the flood plain. Flooding of riverside parks and recreational facilities occurred. A few side roads near the river were flooded. Due to the extended duration of the flooding, levees began to show signs of stress. There was concern about the stability of the levees, and seepage became a problem. Some roads nearest the levees began to buckle.
April 2019	Flood	Cairo	$50,000	no account filed
July 2019	Flood	Cairo	$40,000	The Ohio River finally fell below flood stage at Cairo after spending five months above flood stage, which is the longest duration on record. Much of this time, the river was above flood stage at Cairo due to backwater from the swollen Mississippi River. When it came to the impacts of the flooding, the extended duration of the flooding was at least as significant as its severity. The levee system along the Ohio River was saturated by the extended presence of floodwaters, raising concerns about the stability and integrity of some levees. Repairs were made in certain locations where slippage was observed. Although crops were never planted in many parts of the flood plain, the agricultural impacts were still significant. At the Cairo river gage, the river crested in late June and fell below flood stage in mid July.
April 2011	Flood	Cairo	$40,000	The entire city of Cairo was placed under a mandatory evacuation order as the Ohio River approached the top of the levees protecting the city. Only about 40 people remained behind after the evacuation. Due to heavy rain and backed-up sewers, several blocks within the city experienced basement flooding despite being protected by levees. Most routes into and out of the city were blocked by flooding, including Route 3 to the north and both bridges to the south (over the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers).
May 2013	Thunderstorm Wind	Cairo	$30,000	Half of the roof of the Alexander County courthouse was blown off. There was no other damage nearby.
May 2013	Flood	Cairo	$20,000	Continuing from April into May, moderate flooding of the Ohio River occurred. At the Cairo river gage, the river crested at 49.96 feet on the evening of the 10th. This is about 10 feet over the flood stage of 40 feet. There was considerable flooding of low-lying fields and woodlands near the river. A state park and some river access roads were under water.
March 2020	Flood	Cairo	$10,000	Moderate flooding occurred on the Ohio River through most of March at Cairo. The river crested at 52.64 feet at Cairo on the 31st. This is just shy of the major flood category, which starts at 53 feet. There was considerable flooding of low-lying areas near the river, including parks and farmland. Most main roads remained open, although water approached Illinois Route 3 north of Cairo.
May 2017	Flood	Cairo	$10,000	An extended period of moderate flooding occurred on the Ohio River. The river was above flood stage for the entire month. At the Cairo river gage, the river crested at 52.15 feet on May 8. Major flooding starts at 53 feet. There was considerable flooding of low-lying areas near the river, including parks and farmland. Most main roads remained open, although water approached Illinois Route 3.
January 2010	Lightning	Cairo	$10,000	Lightning struck a housing development building, producing a large hole in the roof.
May 2019	Thunderstorm Wind	Cairo	$8,000	Tree limbs and power lines were blown down, and a carport was flipped over. The carport debris hit a car.
August 2018	Thunderstorm Wind	Cairo	$5,000	Large trees were down just northwest of Cairo along Route 3.
July 2015	Flood	Cairo	$5,000	Moderate flooding occurred on the Ohio River. The flooding continued from June and increased to moderate intensity. At the Cairo river gage, the river crested at 48.71 feet on the 7th. Flood stage there is 40 feet. The flooding inundated mainly agricultural bottomland and surrounding low-lying areas. Parts of Fort Defiance State Park at the confluence of the Mississippi River were flooded.
June 2004	Thunderstorm Wind	Cairo	$5,000	Trees, wires, and poles were blown down. A large tree was uprooted.
July 1997	Thunderstorm Wind	Cairo	$5,000	Downed tree limbs blocked some side streets and may have damaged some houses. The wind knocked out power in Cairo for at least 90 minutes. Several restaurant signs were downed.
January 2019	Flood	Cairo	$5,000	no account filed
April 2018	Flood	Cairo	$5,000	no account filed
July 2016	Thunderstorm Wind	Cairo	$3,000	A few trees were blown down in Cairo.
September 2012	Thunderstorm Wind	Cairo	$3,000	A loaded 18-wheeler was blown over on U.S. Highway 60/62 on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River bridge.
April 2013	Flood	Cairo	$2,000	Moderate flooding occurred along the Ohio River near Cairo, affecting low-lying fields, woods, and riverside parks. Boat ramps and river access roads were flooded. The river continued rising into early May.
May 2011	Thunderstorm Wind	Cairo	$2,000	Tree limbs were snapping.
March 2016	Flood	Cairo	$1,000	Minor flooding continued from February along the Ohio River. There was flooding of low-lying bottomland woods and fields, as well as parts of a riverfront park.
June 2015	Flood	Cairo	$1,000	Minor flooding occurred along the Ohio River. The flooding inundated mainly agricultural bottomland and low lying areas. Parts of Fort Defiance State Park at the confluence of the Mississippi River were flooded. The flooding continued into July.
December 2011	Flood	Cairo	$1,000	Minor flooding occurred on the Ohio River. At the Cairo river gage, the river crested at 43.65 feet on the 6th. Flood stage is 40 feet. Minor flooding of bottomland fields and some park land occurred. River recreation facilities such as boat ramps were affected.
March 2025	Flood	Cairo	-	Late February flooding continued into early March along the Ohio River at Cairo. Minor flooding of low-lying fields and woodlands continued. River levels fell just below flood stage in the afternoon of the 1st.
February 2025	Flood	Cairo	-	Minor flooding of low-lying fields and woodlands occurred around Cairo. The flooding continued into early March.
May 2024	Flood	Cairo	-	Minor flooding occurred on the Ohio River at Cairo mid-month affecting low-lying areas.
March 2023	Flood	Cairo	-	Minor flooding occurred on the Ohio River. There was minor flooding of low-lying woods and fields near the river. The river remained above flood stage into early April.
February 2022	Flood	Cairo	-	The Ohio River rose above flood stage and remained there into March. The crest occurred in March.
March 2022	Flood	Cairo	-	Moderate flooding occurred on the Ohio River. The river crested at 47.11 feet at the Cairo river gage on the 3rd, which is 7.11 feet above flood stage. Low-lying fields and woodlands in the flood plain were underwater. Fort Defiance State Park near Cairo was partially flooded.
January 2020	Flood	Cairo	-	Moderate flooding occurred along the Ohio River. The river crested at 49.46 feet on the afternoon of the 16th at Cairo. Moderate flooding begins at 47 feet. Considerable flooding of low-lying woods, fields, and parkland persisted. The river flooding had little impact on agricultural interests, since planting season begins in April.
May 2019	Flash Flood	Cairo	-	A portion of U.S. Highway 51 in Cairo was closed due to flooding. A co-operative observer in Cairo measured 3.47 inches, which mostly fell on the 29th.
February 2018	Flood	Cairo	-	The Ohio River rose above flood stage around mid-month and continued rising through the end of the month. Low-lying county roads were submerged. Agricultural bottomland and portions of a riverside park were flooded.
March 2018	Flood	Cairo	-	The Ohio River rose above flood stage on the 31st and continued rising through the end of the month. The flooding during late March was minor, consisting of bottomland woods and cropland.
May 2018	Hail	Cairo	-	This hail occurred at the Cairo Fire Department.
December 2018	Flood	Cairo	-	Minor flooding occurred along the Ohio River. Low-lying woods and fields were inundated, including some state park property.
December 2018	Flood	Cairo	-	Minor flooding occurred along the Ohio River. Low-lying woods and fields were inundated, including some state park property.
April 2017	Flood	Cairo	-	Minor flooding occurred along the Ohio River. Low-lying fields and bottomlands were under water.
June 2017	Flood	Cairo	-	The Ohio River continued to fall slowly after cresting in early May. Early in June, minor flooding of the Ohio River inundated low-lying fields and portions of a state park.
April 2017	Flood	Cairo	-	The Ohio River rose above flood stage. Through the end of April, the flooding was mostly minor. The river continued rising beyond the end of the month.
February 2016	Flood	Cairo	-	Minor flooding of the Ohio River inundated some low-lying fields and woodlands along the river.
February 2016	Flood	Cairo	-	Minor flooding occurred along the Ohio River. There was flooding of low-lying bottomland woods and fields. The river continued rising into March.
August 2016	Flood	Cairo	-	U.S. Highway 51 was flooded in a few places in Cairo.
June 2015	Heavy Rain	Cairo	-	Minor street flooding was reported. Two city blocks were covered with water.
March 2015	Flood	Cairo	-	Moderate flooding occurred on the Ohio River. At the Cairo river gage, the river crested at 48.48 feet on the 20th. Flood stage is 40 feet. Mainly agricultural bottomland and surrounding low-lying areas were affected. Portions of Fort Defiance State Park were flooded. This flood crest was about a foot below the flood of May, 2010.
March 2015	Heavy Rain	Cairo	-	Water was over U.S. Highway 51 in places throughout Cairo.
April 2015	Flood	Cairo	-	Minor flooding occurred along the Ohio River. Mainly agricultural bottomland and low-lying areas were under water. A few river access roads and portions of Fort Defiance State Park were inundated.
December 2015	Flood	Cairo	-	The Ohio River began its rise above flood stage late in the month. The flooding in December was relatively insignificant compared to the major flooding in January. In December, there was widespread flooding of low-lying fields and woodlands. The Ohio River bridge connecting U.S. Highway 51/60/62 with Wickliffe, Kentucky was closed due to water over the approach on the Kentucky side. Parts of Fort Defiance State Park and some river access roads were underwater.
December 2015	Flood	Cairo	-	Very minor flooding occurred on the Ohio River near Cairo. Some low-lying fields and a park were flooded.
April 2014	Flood	Cairo	-	Minor flooding occurred along the Ohio River. Riverside access roads were underwater, along with sections of a park. Some agricultural land was flooded.
June 2013	Flood	Cairo	-	Minor flooding occurred along the Ohio River near Cairo. Low-lying agricultural land, state parkland, and river access roads were flooded. Many farmers had not yet planted due to the prolonged spring flooding, so crop losses were minimal.
July 2013	Flood	Cairo	-	Minor flooding occurred along the Ohio River near Cairo. Some low-lying fields, river access roads, and a state park were flooded.

Every storm recorded in Alexander County

Map coverage status

No historic map-sheet match is published for this property yet. That does not mean no map exists. This record needs a coordinate-quality review before it can be joined to a sheet boundary. Browse the county's mapped places while that work is pending.

Listed places nearby

3 within 8 miles

Other National Register properties close enough to walk or drive between, ordered by distance from this one. Both positions come from the same geocoding pass that matched these properties to their map sheets.

Property	Distance	Listed
Cairo Historic District	0.2 miles	1979
Old Customhouse	0.2 miles	1973
Magnolia Manor	0.6 miles	1969

Sources for this property

National Archives record	The nomination case file for reference 100010699 in Record Group 79.
Alexander County	All 7 listed properties in this county.

Provenance

Listing record. National Park Service National Register of Historic Places, listed-properties dataset, current to 2026-05-22.
Map join. Address geocoded through the United States Census geocoder, then tested against the published boundary of every sheet in the USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection.
How this page is made. Listing fields come from federal records; map-sheet coverage is a labelled coordinate-to-boundary calculation, not a source-field claim.
Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.