Oak Hill Welsh Congregational Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Oak Hill Welsh Congregational Church
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Front and side
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | 412 E. Main St., Oak Hill, Ohio |
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| Area | Less than 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1868 |
| Architect | Isaac Parry; Thomas Herbert |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 78002090 |
| Added to NRHP | May 23, 1978 |
The Oak Hill Welsh Congregational Church is a special old building in Oak Hill, Ohio. It used to be a church for Welsh immigrants who worked as miners. Today, it's a historic site and a museum that teaches about Welsh culture.
Contents
A Home for Welsh Miners
This church was built by Welsh miners who came to Ohio a long time ago. Many of these miners moved from a place called Cardiganshire in Wales. They started coming to southern Ohio around 1818. They worked in iron mines and blast furnaces, which are big ovens used to make iron.
Starting a Community Church
Some of these Welsh immigrants were part of the Congregational faith. In 1832, they formed their own church group in Jackson County. Nine years later, the church moved to Oak Hill. Their church building, the one we see today, was finally finished in 1869.
The Church's Unique Look
The Oak Hill Welsh Congregational Church is made of brick and has a tin roof. Its base, or foundation, is made of sandstone.
Greek Revival Style
The main builders, Isaac Parry and Thomas Herbert, designed the church in a style called Greek Revival. This means it looks a bit like ancient Greek temples, with simple, strong shapes. Even though it's only one story tall, it has a cool bell tower on top. The building itself is a simple rectangle, but the bell tower is shaped like an octagon.
From Church to Museum
Over many years, fewer people attended the church. In 1962, the church group stopped meeting. Another church group, the Baptists, bought the building. But after nine years, they moved to a new place.
A Museum of Welsh Culture
In 1972, some local people who were also of Welsh descent bought the old church. They wanted to save it and share their heritage. They turned it into a museum called the "Welsh-American Heritage Museum." This museum helps people learn about Welsh culture in America. It even works with the Welsh studies center at the nearby University of Rio Grande.
A Recognized Historic Place
In 1978, the church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important historical sites in the United States. It was chosen because of its special architecture and its important role in the history of local religion and Welsh culture. It is one of twelve places in Jackson County on this important list.
