Bethel Methodist Church (Bantam, Ohio) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bethel Methodist Church
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The church's front and side in 2013
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1 mile north of Bantam, Ohio, on Elk Lick Road |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1818 |
| Architect | John Collins |
| NRHP reference No. | 78002020 |
| Added to NRHP | August 11, 1978 |
Bethel Methodist Church is a historic Methodist church in the countryside of Clermont County, Ohio. It was built in the early 1800s by one of Ohio's first Methodist preachers.
Even though the church no longer has a regular congregation, the building is still standing. It is used for community events and has been named a historic site.
Contents
History of the Church
Who Was John Collins?
The first minister at Bethel Methodist Church was John Collins. He was born in New Jersey and moved to the Northwest Territory in 1802. Collins was a pioneer preacher who helped start many Methodist groups in southern Ohio. He started groups in towns like Bantam, Chillicothe, and Dayton.
Building the Church
The church group in Bantam was started in 1805. They named their church "Bethel." Their first building was a simple log church.
A few years later, in 1818, they built the church that still stands today. The building was updated in 1867, but the main part of the 1818 structure is still there.
Why Did the Church Close?
In 1968, the church had to close. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers bought a lot of land in the area to create East Fork State Park. Everyone who lived nearby had to move away. With no members left, the church could not continue its regular services.
Today, the building is used for special events twice a year. A Memorial Day service is held there, and a homecoming event with a service takes place every fall.
Architecture and Design
Bethel Methodist Church has a simple, practical design. It is a wooden, rectangular building with a triangular roof at the front.
What Does the Church Look Like?
- Belfry: On top of the roof at the front, there is a square belfry, which is a small tower made to hold a bell.
- Walls: The walls are covered with wooden boards called weatherboards.
- Foundation: The church sits on a stone foundation.
- Windows: The side of the church has four sections, each with a tall sash window.
The Church Graveyard
Next to the church is a graveyard with hundreds of burials. The grandparents of U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant, who was born in Clermont County, are buried here. There are also dozens of graves of unknown soldiers.
A Recognized Historic Site
In 1978, the Bethel Methodist Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important places in American history.
The church was chosen for two main reasons: its unique architecture and its connection to the important preacher John Collins.
Not far from the church is another historic spot called the Elk Lick Road Mound. This is an ancient mound built by Native Americans from the Adena culture.
