A 107-year-old Omaha church and two commercial districts that were hubs for the city’s streetcar system are part of the National Register of Historic Places.

The Benson and Orchard Hill commercial historic districts were part of a submission made by Rosin Preservation on behalf of the City of Omaha, according to the company’s website.

Omaha’s streetcar system was launched in 1868 and its 87-year history drove the city’s development. The system brought municipalities like Benson and Dundee into the city’s fold.

“Rosin Preservation conducted archival research and field study to document the history of the streetcar system in Omaha and commercial development along its routes,” the company said. “In addition to the development context, Rosin Preservation identified the property types associated with the historic streetcar system and defined their significance and character-defining features.” Last month, the National Register of Historic Places approved cover documentation for the Streetcar-Era Commercial Development in Omaha, the two historic districts and Hope Lutheran Church at 2721 N. 30th St.

The Benson Commercial Historic District is centered along Maple Street between North 59th and North 63rd streets. The Orchard Hill Commercial Historic District spans 4002 Hamilton St. through 4016 Hamilton St., 1324 N. 40th St. through 1330 N. 40th St. and 1406 N. 40th St. through 1412 N. 40th St.

Hope Lutheran Church played an active role in Omaha’s civil rights movement. David Calease, the National Register of Historic Places coordinator with History Nebraska, told The Omaha World-Herald that given the events involving the racial justice movement in 2020, stories like those from Hope Lutheran “are more relevant than ever.”

The church that stands today was built by the Pella Danish Lutheran Church in 1913 after the Easter Sunday tornado, which destroyed a church that stood a few blocks away. The architecture of the church was also deemed impressive by historians.

The National Register of Historic Places also recently listed the Strode Building at 1600 O St. in Lincoln and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and Cemetery in Howard County.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.