Mars Hill (Iowa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mars Hill
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_exterior.jpg)
Historic photo of the church
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | Southeast of Ottumwa, Iowa |
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| Area | 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) |
| Built | 1850-1857 |
| Architectural style | Rustic |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000814 |
| Added to NRHP | September 13, 1974 |
Mars Hill is a very old church building and cemetery located near Ottumwa, Iowa, in the United States. It's a special place because of its history and how it was built. The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. This means it's recognized as an important historical site for the country.
Discovering Mars Hill Church
A Look at Its History
The land for Mars Hill was given to the Baptist Church by Barbara Clark. The church building itself was constructed between 1850 and 1857. This means it took several years to complete. The building is shaped like a rectangle. It is made from logs that were carefully cut and fitted together using a special method called dovetail notching. This technique makes the logs fit tightly, like puzzle pieces.
The church has a gable roof, which means it has two sloping sides that meet at the top. The front door you see today is a copy of the original door. People think the church got its name "Mars Hill" because of where it is located. However, there is no clear proof to confirm this idea.
Stories from the Past
There are many local stories about Mars Hill Church. One popular story says that the church building was a stop on the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad was a secret network of safe houses and routes. It helped enslaved people escape to freedom before the American Civil War.
Surviving a Fire
In 2006, a fire almost completely destroyed the Mars Hill church building. Someone intentionally started the fire. After the fire, people worked hard to raise money and rebuild the church. It took two years of fundraising and construction work. The church was officially opened again on June 8, 2008.
Some of the original logs that were burned in the fire are still part of the building today. This shows how strong the church is and how much people wanted to save it. Mars Hill is special because it is one of the largest log buildings still standing in Iowa. It is also one of the oldest log churches that is still used for services.
Today, the church is open to different Christian groups, not just one. A worship service is held there every year in June. This continues the long history of the Mars Hill Church.
