Middlefork Methodist Episcopal Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Middlefork Methodist Episcopal Church
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | S of US 169 on E side of Middle Fork, Grand R., Redding, Iowa |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1886 |
| Built by | W.M. Staton, J.H. Savill |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 90001801 |
| Added to NRHP | November 29, 1990 |
The Middlefork Methodist Episcopal Church is an old church building located south of US 169 in Redding, Iowa, United States. It sits on the east side of the Middle Fork of the Grand River. Today, it is known as the Middlefork United Methodist Church. This historic building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
Contents
Church History
In the early 1870s, groups of Methodists started meeting in schoolhouses. These were the Center (later called Rose Hill) and Clipper schoolhouses.
Building the Church
A big religious meeting, called a revival, happened in the spring of 1886. Reverend T.G. Aten led it, and Reverend Bill McFarland helped. This six-week event brought many people together. Soon, the schoolhouses were too small for everyone who wanted to attend services.
So, the community decided to build a new church. They chose a spot next to the Middle Fork Cemetery. All the money needed to build the church was collected before construction even started.
Construction Details
The stone for the church's foundation came from the Riley Motsinger farm. This farm was a few miles north of Allendale, Missouri. Bricks and lumber for the building were brought from Bedford, Iowa.
Local carpenters, W. M. Staton and J. A. Saville, were in charge of the construction. The church was started and finished in the same year, 1886. Years later, in 1990, the church building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
Church Architecture
The Middlefork United Methodist Church has a rectangular shape. It measures about 26 feet wide and 44 feet long. The outside of the church is covered with white clapboard siding. This is a type of wooden board that overlaps to protect the building. The church sits on a strong foundation made of limestone.
Italianate Style Features
Overall, the building looks simple and neat. However, it has some special features from the Italianate style. This style was popular in the late 1800s.
- Windows: The church has tall, narrow windows along its sides. These windows have rounded tops, like a hood.
- Entrance: The main entrance at the front has double doors.
- Details: You can see special corner boards with decorative tops, called capitals. There's also a flat strip of wood called a frieze board trim. Above the windows and the main entrance, there are round hood molds. These are decorative frames that look like an arch. Finally, there are moldings under the roof's edge, called the eaves.
