Roberts Park Methodist Episcopal Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Roberts Park United Methodist Church
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 Location in Indianapolis
Location in Indianapolis
Location in Indiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | 401 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana |
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| Built | 1869–1876 |
| Architect | Diedrich A. Bohlen |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 82000069 |
| Added to NRHP | August 19, 1982 |
Roberts Park United Methodist Church is a very old church in downtown Indianapolis. It was officially opened on August 27, 1876. This makes it one of the oldest churches still standing in the city center.
The church was designed by Diedrich A. Bohlen. He was a German architect who moved to Indianapolis in the 1850s. The building shows an early example of Romanesque Revival architecture. This style looks like old Roman buildings. Many people think this church is one of Bohlen's most important designs.
The church is built from Indiana limestone. It has a rectangular shape and a tall bell tower on one corner. Inside, the church is famous for its beautiful wood. Especially notable are two black-walnut staircases. These stairs lead up to balconies that go around three sides of the main worship area.
Roberts Park Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 19, 1982. This means it is a special historical building. You can also find one of the "Homeless Jesus" statues here. It is located behind the church on Alabama Street.
The story of Roberts Park Methodist Church began in 1822. That's when the first Methodist group started in Indianapolis. In 1842, the group became too big and split into two. One of these new groups started Roberts Chapel in 1843. After the American Civil War, this group decided to build a new, bigger church. This new church is the one we see today. It is named after a Methodist bishop, Robert Richford Roberts, and its park-like location. Building the church started in 1869. But it took until 1876 to finish because of money problems.
Contents
History of the Church
Early Beginnings
The Roberts Park church started from the very first Methodist group in Indianapolis. This group formed in 1822. At first, they met in a simple log building on Maryland Street. This building was also used as a school.
Their first real church building was called Wesley Chapel. It was made of brick and finished in 1829. This church was located near what is now Monument Circle.
In 1842, the Methodist group in the city grew very large. It had about 600 members. So, they decided to split into two smaller groups. One group was called the western charge, and the other was the eastern charge. Meridian Street was the dividing line between them.
The western group stayed on the Circle until 1869. They later moved to new buildings and became the Meridian Street United Methodist Church. Their current building opened in 1952. The eastern group started Roberts Chapel. This chapel was named after Bishop Robert Richford Roberts. He was the first Methodist bishop to live in Indiana.
Building Roberts Chapel began in 1843. It was located at Market and Pennsylvania Streets. The chapel was finished in 1846. In 1848, a new bell was put in the chapel's tower. This bell called people to church. It also served as the community's fire bell. A town clock was added to the tower in 1853.
The Current Church Building
After the American Civil War, the members of Roberts Chapel wanted a new church. On June 29, 1868, they bought about one acre of land. This land was at Delaware and Vermont Streets. They paid $17,000 for it.
The congregation sold Roberts Chapel. Their last service there was on July 5, 1868. On August 9, 1868, they held a service at their new site. They met in a temporary building. There, they decided to name their new church Roberts Park Methodist Episcopal Church. This name honored Bishop Roberts and the church's park-like setting. Today, it is known as Roberts Park United Methodist Church.
The foundation for the new church was laid in 1869. The first stone was placed on May 14, 1870. Work on the upper part of the church was delayed. This was due to money problems. Building finally started again in 1873. The completed church was dedicated on August 27, 1876. This makes it one of the oldest churches still in downtown Indianapolis.
The church was the site of important revivals in 1881, 1886, and 1896. The church also started several women's groups. These included the Woman's Home Missionary Society (1895). They also had the Women's Social and Business Union (1894). The church's youth group became an Epworth League in 1888.
In 1927, Fermor S. Cannon designed a large addition. This addition cost $100,000. Another big renovation happened in 1950. It cost $200,000. This work included rebuilding a chapel on the first floor. Stained-glass windows were also put on the eastern wall. The gymnasium in the addition was changed.
From 1971 to 1973, the church had more renovations. This was around its 150th birthday. The main worship area and other parts of the church were redecorated. A new pipe organ was also bought.
Roberts Park Methodist Episcopal Church became a National Register of Historic Places site on August 19, 1982.
Church Design
Outside Look and Shape
Diedrich A. Bohlen designed the church. He was a German architect who moved to Indianapolis in the 1850s. He designed the church in the Rundbogenstil (round-arch) style. This style was popular when he studied architecture in Germany.
Bohlen was already known for other important buildings in Indiana. These included the Morris-Butler House and Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church. The Roberts Park church is one of Bohlen's most important works. It is said to be similar to City Temple, London.
Bohlen's design is an early example of Romanesque Revival architecture. This style mixes old Roman building ideas. Roberts Park church has a rectangular shape. It has a three-story bell tower on its southwest corner. The outside of the church is made of Indiana limestone. A very tall spire was planned for the tower. But it was never built.
The church's main front faces Delaware Street. It has three parts with many round-arched openings. The large middle part is between two smaller parts. These smaller parts have narrow, round-arched, stained-glass windows. These windows are on three levels.
The ground floor has arched doorways. These doors have stained-glass rose windows above them. A stone line separates the ground floor from the two upper floors. The second level has a two-story archway. It has three arches, each two stories high. These arches have smaller, round-arch windows on each level.
Another stone line separates this archway from the roof's triangular part. This part has carvings and stone crosses. A stone statue of Saint Mary is at the very top of the roof.
The bell tower has round-arch windows on the first and third levels. The second level has a stone with the church's name and when it was built. A pyramid-shaped roof covers the tower. This is where the church's bell is kept.
The addition built in 1927 looks similar to the original church. It also has round-arch windows.
Inside Look
The church has two floors inside. It is known for its large worship area and beautiful wood. The wood is made of oak and black walnut. The main floor has a big sanctuary. It also has two large black-walnut staircases. These stairs lead to balconies. The balconies go around three sides of the sanctuary.
The sanctuary is about 62 feet by 84 feet. It can seat 1,200 people. It has no support columns inside. This means there are no pillars blocking your view. The ceiling is 34 feet high. The lower level (basement) used to have classrooms and other rooms.
An addition was built in 1927. It added more space. This space first had a parlor, classrooms, a gym, and a stage. In 1950, during a renovation, the gym was divided. It became offices, classrooms, and other areas. An elevator was also put in.
The inside of the church has changed over time. Electric lights were put in in 1892. In 1916, the church spent $65,000 to fix up the inside and the organ. In 1945, they spent $45,000 on painting and repairs. In the early 1970s, a new organ with 2,273 pipes was bought.
Church's Purpose
Roberts Park Church helped start other church groups. By the 1860s, it had helped eight new churches. By the 1960s, it had helped eighteen more. During World War II, the church offered fun activities for soldiers. They also served over 90,000 meals to them.
The church also supported several missionary groups. Today, it still helps older people in the city. It also serves the downtown Indianapolis community.
Church Members
In 1843, the eastern group had 322 members. By 1849, this number grew to 407. By 1940, Roberts Park church had about 1,700 members. It became one of Indiana's largest Methodist groups.
As Indianapolis grew, people moved to the suburbs. The church's membership went down. By 1990, it had 425 members. But the church decided to stay in its downtown location.
Famous Members
- James A. Allison (1872–1928), a business owner who helped start the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
- Calvin Fletcher (1798–1866), an early resident of the city. He was active in business and community work.
- James B. Ray (1794–1848), a former governor of Indiana.
Worship Services
- Sunday worship services: 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
- Wednesday worship services: 12:10 p.m.
