Armstrong Chapel United Methodist Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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United Methodist Church
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Front of the church
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | 5125 Drake Rd. |
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| Nearest city | Indian Hill, Ohio |
| Area | Less than 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1831 |
| Architect | Samuel Earhart |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001432 |
| Added to NRHP | December 4, 1975 |
Armstrong Chapel United Methodist Church is a special old church located in Indian Hill, Ohio, United States. It was built a long time ago in 1831. This church is a small, rectangular building with a tall tower at the front. In 1975, it was officially named a historic site because of its importance.
Contents
The Church's Early Days
Nathanial and Hannah Armstrong moved to southwestern Ohio in 1800 from Virginia. They built a log cabin and a gristmill on their land. They also started farming.
- At that time, traveling ministers called circuit riders would visit the area.
- The settlers did not have a church building. So, they met and worshipped in each other's homes.
- This went on for many years.
A Gift of Land
In 1830, Nathanial Armstrong decided to help. He gave one of the best parts of his land. This land was for building a church and a cemetery.
Building the Church
The church was built in the summer of 1831. Samuel Earhart led the construction.
- The church walls were made of brick.
- These bricks were special because they were made right there. The clay came from Earhart's own property.
- The cemetery next to the church was already started.
- Hannah Armstrong was the first person buried there. She had passed away four years before the church was finished in the fall of 1831.
Who Used the Church?
Nathanial Armstrong wanted the church to be open to any Christian group. He said it should be used by the group with the most members nearby.
- From the very beginning, and ever since, the church has been used by Methodists.
- The building has not changed much since it was built.
- A tower was added in 1890.
- Only small repairs have been done otherwise.
Strong Foundations
The church's foundation was made of fieldstones. These stones were held together with soil instead of mortar.
- Even with this simple foundation, it has moved very little.
- In the 1970s, the church was restored.
- This restoration showed that the building had only settled about 2 inches (51 mm) in 140 years. That's very stable!
A National Historic Site
In late 1975, Armstrong Chapel was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It was listed under the name "United Methodist Church."
- It is one of five places in Indian Hill on the National Register.
- The other sites include the Elliott House, the Jefferson Schoolhouse, the Gordon E. Pape House, and the Washington Heights School.
- Armstrong Chapel was chosen for the Register for a few reasons.
- It played an important part in local history.
- It was connected to Nathanial Armstrong, a well-known person in the area.
- Its old architecture was very well preserved.
- The historic site listing included both the church building and the Armstrong cemetery.
Armstrong Chapel Today
Today, Armstrong Chapel is still an active church congregation. It is part of the United Methodist Church.
- The church community grew a lot in the early 2000s.
- Because of this, a new building was needed.
- A special ceremony to start building the new structure happened in August 2009.
- The new building was mostly finished by October of the next year.
