Macedonia Baptist Church (Burlington, Ohio) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Macedonia 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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| Nearest city | Burlington, Ohio |
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| Area | 0.8 acres (0.32 ha) |
| Built | 1849 |
| NRHP reference No. | 78002096 |
| Added to NRHP | February 7, 1978 |
The Macedonia Baptist Church is an old church building located near Burlington, in the southern part of Ohio. It was built in the mid-1800s and was very important to the local Black community. Today, it is recognized as a historic site.
Contents
A Special Place in History
The area around Burlington, Ohio, was a significant spot before the American Civil War. Many runaway enslaved people and free Black individuals lived there. A group of Baptists started a church in this area between 1811 and 1813. They first met in their homes, then built a small church.
A New Beginning in 1849
A big change happened in late 1849. A man named James Twyman from Virginia freed many of his enslaved people when he died. He also arranged for them to receive land near Burlington. Thirty-two of these newly freed people settled near the church. They officially owned their land by the end of October.
These new settlers joined the existing Baptist church. They helped build a new church building on a place called Macedonia Ridge. This is how the church got its name, "Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church."
A Center for the Community
With so many new Black residents, the church became a very important place. It was a center for both religious life and community gatherings. Over the years, many groups of members left to start new churches. Eight of these "daughter churches" were still active in Ohio and West Virginia in the late 1900s.
What the Church Looks Like
Macedonia Baptist Church is a simple building. It was built without a specific fancy architectural style. It has a plain front with a pointed roof, like a house. This is called a "gable-front" design.
Building Details
The church has three windows on its sides. There are no windows on the front wall itself. You enter through double doors at the bottom of a small bell tower. This tower is built into the front gable.
The walls are covered with simple wooden boards called "weatherboarding." The building sits on a stone foundation. It has a tin roof. The main part of the building has a steeply sloped roof. The bell tower, which is almost square, has a pyramid-shaped roof.
Honored as a Historic Site
In 1978, Macedonia Baptist Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It earned this honor for two main reasons. First, its architecture is historically important. Second, it played a very significant role in local history.
Other Local Historic Sites
The Macedonia Baptist Church is one of four historic places listed on the Register in and around Burlington. The others are the old county jail, the local Black cemetery, and the William C. Johnston House and General Store. Overall, there are nineteen such sites in Lawrence County, Ohio. In 2003, the Ohio Historical Society placed a special historical marker at the church.
