Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church (Pleasant City, Ohio) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church
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The Bethel M.E. Church in Guernsey County.
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Pleasant City, Ohio |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1873 |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 78002072 |
| Added to NRHP | November 24, 1978 |
The Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church is an old and important building located near Pleasant City, Ohio in Ohio. You can find it on SR 146. This church was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 24, 1978. This means it's a special place worth protecting because of its history and architecture.
Contents
A Look Back: History of the Church
Long ago, people who followed the Methodist faith lived in Guernsey County, Ohio. Even before Valley Township was officially formed, these Methodists gathered together. They often met in the barns of their friends and neighbors. As more people joined, they realized they needed a proper church building.
Building the First Church
In 1832, a man named John Robins donated some land. This land was on the south side of SR 146. It was used for both a church and a cemetery. The first church building was made of wood. People used this wooden church until 1873.
A New and Bigger Church
The church community grew a lot, and the old wooden building became too small. So, everyone decided it was time for a new, bigger church. They chose a new spot right across the road from the old one. Construction on the new building started in 1871. It was finished in 1873. The church was built in the Romanesque Revival style. This style reminds many people of churches found in the New England states. We don't know for sure who designed the church, but several people have been suggested.
Changes Over Time
In 1898, the church building was updated. Any worn-out decorations were fixed, and the church looked beautiful again. Dr. David H. Moore led a special ceremony to celebrate its new look. Later, in 1960, the church community moved to Cambridge, Ohio.
After they moved, a group called Bethel Community Church, Inc. was formed. Their goal was to protect the old church building from being changed or destroyed. The East Ohio Annual Conference sold the building to them for just one dollar! After this, the church was turned into a community center. It became a place for everyone in the area to gather.
What the Church Looks Like: Exterior
The Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church is a rectangular building made of red brick. It sits on a nice plot of land filled with shady trees.
Front and Sides
The front of the church has three main sections, called "bays." The middle section sticks out a bit. It has large wooden double doors. Above these doors, there's a special fan-shaped window called a fanlight. This window lets the morning sunlight shine into the building. On each side of the doors, there's a big, rectangular stained glass window. These beautiful windows were designed and shipped all the way from Germany. Above the main entrance, there's another large arched window, similar to the ones on the sides.
The sides of the church also have four large arched windows. These windows are like the ones on the front and also came from Germany. Each window has a sandstone arch above it. This arch has a large stone sticking out in the middle, called a keystone.
The Bell Tower
The central part of the church's front, where the doors are, is topped by a bell tower. This tower rests on a decorative ledge called a dentil cornice. The tower has arched openings decorated with fancy wooden designs called fretwork. The original bell is still inside the tower, and its ringing system still works! The tower has a pointed top called a spire. It once had a lightning rod to protect it, but now it ends with a ball.
Facing Challenges
In 2005, the church building was unfortunately damaged. A large hole was made in its thick brick walls. Many of the beautiful windows were broken, some beyond repair. It's a big job to keep the church maintained and fix all the damage. The people caring for it are working hard, but it's a lot to do. Because of this, some of the damage can still be seen today.
