First Presbyterian Church of Wapakoneta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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First Presbyterian Church of Wapakoneta
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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 | 106 W. Main St., Wapakoneta, Ohio |
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| Area | Less than 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1861 |
| Architect | David Hawkey |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Distyle in antis mode |
| NRHP reference No. | 85001797 |
| Added to NRHP | August 23, 1985 |
The First Presbyterian Church of Wapakoneta is a very old building in Wapakoneta, Ohio, United States. It's a small brick building located on Main Street. This church is special because it's the oldest Protestant church building in Auglaize County, Ohio. It's also the oldest church building of any kind in the city of Wapakoneta.
Contents
A Look at the Church's Design
This building is unique because of its Greek Revival architecture style. It has a special design called "distyle in antis." This means it has two columns placed between two flat columns (called pilasters) at the front. It's the only building like this in west-central Ohio. The church was built in 1861 by an architect named David Hawkey.
The Church's Journey Through Time
How the Church Began
The church group, or congregation, started in 1860. Many important people from Auglaize County were members. Most people in the county were German, but these Presbyterians came from states like Virginia and New York on the East Coast of the United States.
Changes Over the Years
In the 1920s, the church faced some financial difficulties. Because of these money problems, the number of members became very small. The church group officially closed in 1930, and the building was sold.
New Life for the Building
After 1930, the Wapakoneta Women's Club bought the building. They used it as their clubhouse until 1997. Then, the Auglaize County Historical Society purchased the building. Since then, the old church has been turned into the Wapakoneta Museum.
A Historic Landmark
In 1985, the First Presbyterian Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list of buildings that are important to history. It received this honor because of its unusual Greek Revival architecture. It was also recognized for its connection to important people in Auglaize County's past.
