First United Methodist Church (Woodsfield, Ohio)
Encyclopedia
The First United Methodist Church is located at 136 Main Street in Woodsfield
, Ohio
. The property was placed on the National Register
on 2006-08-09.
recorded in Monroe County
were reported in the early 19th century. The congregation met in an upstairs courtroom in a log courthouse that stood where the present brick courthouse
is today. Needing more room, the Methodist Episcopal Church purchased a lot on Sycamore Street and constructed a simple wooden structure in 1825. This church was the first built in Woodsfield. The wooden structure was an 18 foot high, one story building with a central door framed by a window on either side, with three windows on the side facade. To the left of the church the congregation buried their dead in what is now called Pioneer Cemetery.
The congregation again grew to the point that the structure was no longer suitable. The church then purchased a lot on Main Street and constructed a red brick structure in 1834. The old church was sold to the Presbyterians
in 1836 but did not survive to today. The church was again experiencing growing pains and built a second larger church on the same lot and was dedicated in 1860.
For a fourth time the church was again in need of a lrager structure and the church contracted Hubbar, Helbling & Co. to build a new larger structure using the material from the old church. This church exceeded $8,000 to build and was completed in 1899.
Over time the church expanded and an addition was added in 1907, and included the church offices and school-rooms. The church changed names in 1968 from the Methodist Episcopal Church to the First United Methodist Church after joining with the United Brethren churches
style and the Late Gothic Revival architecture and consists of reddish brown brick on a sandstone
foundation. The belltower features crenellated battlements and was added in 1907. The facade contains arched windows; the stained glass windows were purchased by the Busy Bee Sunday School class and were brought into town on the O.R.&W. Railroad. The windows contain the names of the girls of the Sunday school class. The pitched gable roof is lined with slate tiles.
Woodsfield, Ohio
Woodsfield is a village in Monroe County, Ohio, United States. The population was 2,598 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Monroe County and houses the Monroe County Courthouse.-Geography:Woodsfield is located at ....
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. The property was placed on the National Register
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on 2006-08-09.
History
The first MethodistsMethodism
Methodism is a movement of Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations, claiming a total of approximately seventy million adherents worldwide. The movement traces its roots to John Wesley's evangelistic revival movement within Anglicanism. His younger brother...
recorded in Monroe County
Monroe County, Ohio
Monroe County is a county located in the state of Ohio. As of the 2010 census, the population was 14,642. Its county seat is Woodsfield and is named for James Monroe, Secretary of State when the county was formed and later President of the United States....
were reported in the early 19th century. The congregation met in an upstairs courtroom in a log courthouse that stood where the present brick courthouse
Monroe County Courthouse (Ohio)
The Monroe County Courthouse is located in Woodsfield, Ohio and is one of few courthouses located in a town square. The building is of red brick with yellow brick quions, pillars and pediments, which are said to represent the colors of fall in the surrounding countryside...
is today. Needing more room, the Methodist Episcopal Church purchased a lot on Sycamore Street and constructed a simple wooden structure in 1825. This church was the first built in Woodsfield. The wooden structure was an 18 foot high, one story building with a central door framed by a window on either side, with three windows on the side facade. To the left of the church the congregation buried their dead in what is now called Pioneer Cemetery.
The congregation again grew to the point that the structure was no longer suitable. The church then purchased a lot on Main Street and constructed a red brick structure in 1834. The old church was sold to the Presbyterians
Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
in 1836 but did not survive to today. The church was again experiencing growing pains and built a second larger church on the same lot and was dedicated in 1860.
For a fourth time the church was again in need of a lrager structure and the church contracted Hubbar, Helbling & Co. to build a new larger structure using the material from the old church. This church exceeded $8,000 to build and was completed in 1899.
Over time the church expanded and an addition was added in 1907, and included the church offices and school-rooms. The church changed names in 1968 from the Methodist Episcopal Church to the First United Methodist Church after joining with the United Brethren churches
Exterior
The exterior features a mixture of the Richardsonian RomanesqueRichardsonian Romanesque
Richardsonian Romanesque is a style of Romanesque Revival architecture named after architect Henry Hobson Richardson, whose masterpiece is Trinity Church, Boston , designated a National Historic Landmark...
style and the Late Gothic Revival architecture and consists of reddish brown brick on a sandstone
Sandstone
Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains.Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are tan, brown, yellow,...
foundation. The belltower features crenellated battlements and was added in 1907. The facade contains arched windows; the stained glass windows were purchased by the Busy Bee Sunday School class and were brought into town on the O.R.&W. Railroad. The windows contain the names of the girls of the Sunday school class. The pitched gable roof is lined with slate tiles.