First Presbyterian Church (Coldwater, Michigan) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Significant dates

First Presbyterian Church
U.S. National Register of Historic Places

Church in 2012
Location in Michigan Show map of Michigan Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	52 Marshall St., Coldwater, Michigan
Area	2.2 acres (0.89 ha)
Built	1866–1869
Built by	Bennett, John C.
Architectural style	Romanesque
NRHP reference No.	86002111
Added to NRHP	July 31, 1986

The First Presbyterian Church is a historic building located at 52 Marshall Street in Coldwater, Michigan. It was built between 1866 and 1869. This church is recognized as a Michigan State Historic Site and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a very important building with a rich history.

History of the Church
- Building the Current Church
- Later Changes and Recognition
Church Architecture and Design
See also

History of the Church

The First Presbyterian Church group started in 1837. This was the same year Coldwater became an official village. For a while, the group did not have its own building. They finally built their first church in 1844.

Building the Current Church

Work on the church you see today began in 1866. It was finished three years later, in 1869. A builder named John C. Bennett oversaw the project. The church cost $40,104 to build. This was a lot of money back then!

When it was first built, this church was the largest building in Coldwater. It could hold more people than any other place. Because of its size, it was often used for public events. Many famous speakers visited the church. These included Sojourner Truth in 1877 and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

Later Changes and Recognition

From 1958 to 1959, a new two-story section was added. This part of the church was built for educational activities.

The church was officially named a Michigan State Historic Site on June 15, 1979. Later, on July 31, 1986, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. A special sign, called an informational marker, was put up on April 27, 1987. This sign tells visitors about the church's history.

In 2004, the tall steeple of the church was rebuilt. People in the community donated money to help pay for this important repair.

Church Architecture and Design

The First Presbyterian Church was designed in the Romanesque Revival style. This style often uses round arches and strong, heavy walls. It is the largest church of this style in Branch County.

Key Features of the Building

The church is made of red brick and has a rectangular shape. It has a gable roof, which means the roof slopes down on two sides. A tall tower stands in the middle of the front of the church.

A special band of sandstone, called a belt course, goes around the building. This band separates the basement from the main worship area, called the sanctuary.

The Tall Steeple

The church's steeple is very tall, reaching about 185 feet (56 m) high. It is a major landmark in Coldwater. In fact, it is one of the tallest steeples in southern Michigan. The steeple is covered with white shingles. It also has two sets of small, gabled windows called dormers.

Inside the steeple, there is a belfry. This is where the church bell is kept. The bell was made in 1853 by the Meneely Bell Foundry in New York.

Stained Glass Windows

The windows in the sanctuary are made of stained and painted glass. These beautiful windows were put in place in 1868. They were created by a company from Chicago called George A. Misch and Brothers.

First Presbyterian Church (Coldwater, Michigan) facts for kids

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