First Presbyterian Church (Napoleon, Ohio) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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First Presbyterian 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 | 303 W. Washington, Napoleon, Ohio |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1901 |
| Architect | Harry W. Wachter |
| Architectural style | American Craftsman |
| NRHP reference No. | 90000381 |
| Added to NRHP | March 9, 1990 |
The First Presbyterian Church is a beautiful and historic Presbyterian church located in Napoleon, Ohio, in the United States. You can find it at 303 W. Washington Street. This special building is famous for its unique and interesting architecture. It has been recognized as a historic site because of its special design.
Contents
A Look Back: Early Church History
The First Presbyterian Church congregation started in 1861. They built their first church building on the corner of Washington and Webster Streets. This spot was just two blocks away from the Henry County Courthouse.
About forty years later, the first building was taken down. A new, much grander church was built in its place. Construction on the current building began in 1900 and was finished in 1901.
Exploring the Church's Unique Architecture
The church was designed by an architect named Harry W. Wachter. It was built in the American Craftsman style, which is known for its focus on natural materials and handmade details.
Building Materials and Design
The church stands on a strong foundation made of sandstone. Its walls are also made from sandstone, which came from quarries near Mansfield, Ohio. The roof is covered with terracotta tiles.
The roofline of the church is very interesting. It has many different towers and gables. These parts are finished with decorative bargeboards. One of the most unique features is a small steeple that rises through the main tower. It looks a bit like a beehive. Inside, the church is bright, thanks to many large arch windows and a skylight.
Why This Church Looks So Special
Unlike many buildings made of sandstone, the First Presbyterian Church uses stones of many different sizes and colors. This mix of stones, along with the towers and gables, gives the church a very distinct look.
In 1977, a survey of historic buildings called the church's architecture "unique" for northwestern Ohio. Its unusual shapes and colors are quite different from St. Augustine's Catholic Church. St. Augustine's is a uniform Gothic Revival building with a tall tower. First Presbyterian, however, has a broken roofline and many decorative elements typical of the American Craftsman style.
Because of its special architecture, the First Presbyterian Church gained wider recognition. In 1980, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list recognizes important historic places in the United States. Only three other buildings in Henry County, Ohio, are on this list, and they are all in downtown Napoleon.
The Church Community Today
First Presbyterian Church is an active part of the Maumee Valley Presbytery. This is a group of Presbyterian churches in the area. The congregation reported having 133 members in their last count. At that time, Pastor Gavin Pitt served the church.
The church also owns a parsonage, which is a house for the pastor. It is located at 304 W. Main Street, close to the church building. This parsonage is a brick Victorian house. It was built even before the first church building was taken down.
