Nomination for Rock Hill Presbyterian Church

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Rev. Aug. 2002) FEB 1 8 2009 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NAT. REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES REGISTRATION FORM This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts. See instructions in How to Complete the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (National Register Bulletin 16A). Complete each item by marking "x" in the appropriate box or by entering the information requested. If any item does and subcategories from the instructions. Place additional entries and narrative items on continuation sheets (NPS Form 10-900a). Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer, 1. Name of Property historic name Rock Hill Presbyterian Church other names/site number 2.

Location street & number_56244 High Ridge Road not for publication_N/A city or town state_Ohio _code 013 zip code 43906 3. State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1986, as amended, I hereby certify that this _Xnomination request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth does not meet the National Register Criteria. I recommend that this property be considered significant_ Signature of certifying official Ohio Historic Preservation Office, Ohio Historical Society State or Federal Agency or Tribal government In my opinion, the property - _meets - does not meet the National Register criteria.

( See continuation sheet for additional Signature of commenting or other official State or Federal agency and bureau 4. National Park Service Certification Date of Action entered in the National Register determined not eligible for the removed from the National Register other (explain): Belmont Date Bellaire National Register to complete all items. RECEIVED 2280 vicinity_Yes comments.) code OH county 1,hereby certify that this property is: See continuation sheet. February 9, 2009 USDI/NPS Registration Form Page 2 Belmont County, Ohio 5.

Classification Ownership of Property Category of Property Number of Resources within Property (Do not include previously listed resources in the count) _ private - public-Local - district - public-State - public-Federal 1_ structures 1 Total Name of related multiple property listing Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register 6. Function or Use Current Functions RELIGION: Church 7.

Description Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) Late 19th and 2oth Century Revivals: Late Gothic Revival Narrative Description (Describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) roof Noncontributing Asphalt other site none object Historic Functions X building(s) Rock Hill Presbyterian Church Materials (Enter categories from instructions) (Enter categories from instructions) (Check as many boxes as apply) (Check only one Box) (Enter "N/A" if property is not part of a multiple property listing.) Stone, Concrete Brick walls foundation NPS Form 10-900-a OMB No.

1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Rock Hill Presbyterian Church Belmont County, Ohio Section 7 Page 1 Narrative Description The Rock Hill Presbyterian Church is located on a 1.62 acre parcel situated on the west side of High Ridge Road in rural church is situated on the northern portion of the parcel. An asphalt-paved driveway extends from High Ridge Road on the north (photo I) and curves around to the west of the church, leading to an asphalt parking lot on the southern part of is a modern non-contributing open picnic structure. Southwest of the structure, the lot slopes sharply down to a lower for use as additional meeting facilities (not included in nomination). Wooded areas are situated to the east across High Ridge Road as well as to the south and west.

The Rock Hill Presbyterian Church is a one-and-one-half-story brick Gothic-revival structure (photos 3, 4) with a raised basement and a bell tower at the southeast corner. The church is cross-gabled, with two gabled ells connecting into the primary roof at lower ridgelines. The primary axis runs generally east-west, and its primary façade faces east, fronting was excavated from under the church in the 1950s, is partially below grade and is accessed from the exterior via a non- original one story brick masonry gabled ell attached to the church at the southwestern corner (photo 10). An original covered side porch on the western elevation was enclosed in the creation of the ell and serves as a secondary entrance The current building was constructed in 1903, at a cost of $13,000, after a fire destroyed the previous church built in 1890.

All of Rock Hill's previous church buildings had been located next to the cemetery on Patterson Hill Road. The new site was secured to allow easier access for the parishioners. The raised foundation is sandstone with a rusticated tooled finish. Some of the sandstone has spalled so the original appearance is visible only in a few locations. The exterior walls are composed of machine-pressed brick laid up in a running bond, and are load bearing. The roof is covered with non-original asphalt-shingles and there are box gutters on all edges. It appears that the roof was originally clad in slate. With the exception of the fenestration in the converted porch, all windows have pointed arches and stained glass. There are four styles of windows in the church. The largest windows feature Gothic tracery, with three panels and a five- petaled rosette.

The smaller windows on the east and west elevations and in the bell tower also have Gothic tracery with two panels. The smaller windows in the ells have just one panel and do not have tracery. Windows that are situated over exterior doors are shorter versions of ones in the east and west elevations. All are double hung, except those above the doorways. All of the stained glass windows feature limestone sills and brick header surrounds. The smaller windows (8-86) have surrounds with three courses and the larger windows are topped by five brick courses. bell tower with Gothic arch openings, pointed arch stained glass windows (photo 6), and decorative brickwork. The level, that is accessed by stairs. To the north of the parcel is a 1960s era house that was recently purchased by the church and office space. the parcel (photo 2).

The parking lot can also be accessed directly from High Ridge Road. To the west of the parking lot High Ridge Road. The building is 48 feet at its widest point and 61 feet at its longest point. Stylistic features include a tower contains the raised main entrance, which is accessed by a cross-gabled portico (photo 5). The basement, which Pultney Township, Belmont County, Ohio. The setting is rural, with a few houses on large lots in the vicinity. The NPS Form 10-900-a OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Rock Hill Presbyterian Church Belmont County, Ohio Section 7 The east and west gable ends feature identical fenestration, with one large window flanked by two smaller windows with Gothic tracery. The south gabled ell also has a large window with two smaller windows without tracery.

The north gabled ell contains no windows on the northern elevation but has one single window on each side of the ell. Eastern Façade The main façade, facing High Ridge Road, features one large and two smaller stained glass windows on the gable end and a single window in the north ell (photo 7). Above the large window are five decorative brick indentations with corbelling on each vertical end. A rusticated square-cut stone structure holding the church sign sits on the ground directly beneath the large center window. Southeastern Corner At the southeastern corner stands the brick bell tower that contains the main entrance (photo 3). The tower has two pointed arch openings on each side and a pyramidal roof with brackets at the cornice. The south and east elevations of the tower feature seven decorative vertical brick indentions with corbelling on each end.

The east elevation of the tower The raised entrance double doors are in the south elevation of the bell tower. A two-sided stepped concrete porch with a cross-gabled portico provides access to the entrance (photo 5). Engaged pilasters are located at both of the brick walls, short pointed arch stained glass window. Southern Elevation stairway entrance to the basement (photo 8). The areaway is flanked by a metal guardrail, and there is a metal handrail. The basement door is aluminum with a window in the top. The door lintel is sandstone. Some original foundation stones were removed to install the door, and concrete block was used to build the doorway. In the 1970s, the original covered side porch was enclosed and converted to an office/library, and an ell was added to the southern elevation, and the porch area extends from the main part of the west elevation.

The walls are brick veneer laid the ell and the original porch. The roof materials, soffit and gutters are all consistent with the original portion of the church, but the cornice on the addition is larger than on the main structure. The original porch has two recessed windows on the west elevation; which are completely covered in Plexiglas but appear to be vinyl. The windows sills are crawlspace door. The entrance ell has a set of wooden double doors with two windows in the top portion of each door. Embedded in the concrete leading to this entrance are two fragments of the cornerstone from the previous church Exterior (8-86) brick rowlock. On the south elevation of the porch there is a short (approximately two feet tall) board and batten door while the southeastern corner of the portico is supported by a non-original aluminum column.

The doors are topped by a Page 2 porch to serve as a separate entrance to the office space (photo 10). The ell projects approximately two feet from the up in a running bond; and there is no foundation visible. The roof features a small front-facing shingled gable on both also features a plaque reading "ROCK HILL CHURCH 1812-1902". The southern elevation faces the parking lot and contains, in addition to the aforementioned three windows, an outside NPS Form 10-900-a OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Rock Hill Presbyterian Church Belmont County, Ohio Section 7 building, which burned in 1902. The cornerstone originally read "ROCK HILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BUILT 1890" (photo 12) Western Elevation The western elevation features the same window fenestration as the eastern elevation (photo 9).

There is also a cellar door with a sandstone surround that once led to a furnace room. Northern Elevation The northern elevation has a central gable at the apse, and is clad entirely in brick masonry with no openings (photo 11). Exterior Modifications The church retains most of its historic configuration and integrity. Modifications include the addition of a basement, the of the congregation. In the 1970s, the original side porch was enclosed as an office/library area and an ell containing a separate entrance was added to the southeast side of the structure. The main entrance porch cover was modified and now covers part of the brick header above the stained glass window over the entrance doorway. The exterior supporting column was replaced with an aluminum column. All the exterior wooden entrance doors were installed in the 1970s.

Aluminum storm windows have been installed over most of the stained glass windows. Soffit boards have been replaced with aluminum. The church interior is configured according to the Akron Plan with amphitheater-type seating (photos 14, 15, 16) and an as Sunday School rooms. The former Sunday School area is currently used for overflow seating but does not contain tower, which opens into a small vestibule. Significant features include ornamental metal ceilings and walls with a decorative paint treatment, curved pews, stained glass windows, and Gothic door hardware. A prominent and unusual feature is the wall system; the walls are completely covered with decorative metal. The floor is covered with carpet throughout but does retain the original decorative floor grates (photo 34). The sanctuary retains its historic integrity with minimal modifications.

In 1961, the northwest wall, pulpit area and vestibule were stripped of all metal due to serious water damage (photo 18). The walls were covered with wood vestibule was left with a natural wood finish. The metal ceiling in the pulpit area has been replaced with acoustic tile and recessed lighting. In the 1970s the covered side porch was converted into an office/library. Other changes include (8-86) Interior pews. The pulpit is located in the ell at the north end of the auditorium (photo14). The main entrance is through the bell Page 3 conversion of the original side porch to office space, and changes to the porch cover of the main entrance. The church paneling (photo 19). Paneling in the pulpit area was painted to coordinate with the rest of the interior; the paneling in the NPS Form 10-900-a OMB No.

1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Rock Hill Presbyterian Church Belmont County, Ohio Section 7 the addition of a basement in the 1950s (photo 36); the south ell contains a stairway to the basement level (photo 35). Storage cabinets and a coat rack have been added to the walls of the south ell. The main entrance, through the bell tower, features exterior double entry doors that open into a small wood-paneled vestibule. The east wall contains one stained glass window and cabinets are mounted around the window (photo 13). The vestibule contains two sets of matching wooden five-panel double doors with Gothic hardware. The doors on the north wall open into the main sanctuary, while the doors on the west wall open into the former Sunday School rooms.

Main Sanctuary The east, south, and west walls are ceiling are covered in their entirety with painted ornamental pressed metal of a Gothic revival design. The walls feature a pressed metal wainscot (photos 22, 23), the ceiling features decorative metal crown molding (photo 24), and all window jambs are covered in ornamental pressed metal (photo 25). There are four historic light fixtures in the main sanctuary, circa 1930s (photo33). The former Sunday School space has more modern light fixtures, circa 1960s, and there are ceiling fans throughout. The windows, as previously noted, are all doors with Gothic hardware that formerly led to the side porch now open into the added office area. The oak pews are laid out in a curved pattern oriented toward the raised pulpit area. Two side aisles lead from the rear to the front of the church.

The center section of pews is split by a center aisle only in the last four rows. Wooden appliqués decorate the ends, back and front of the pews (photos 20, 21). The north ell contains the three-level raised pulpit area that extends the width of the apse. The pulpit area is accessed by a series of narrow steps that lead to the lowest platform level. The next two platform levels are each one step above the material suffered severe water damage and has been replaced by wood paneling that is painted to coordinate with the decorative metal panels on the other walls. A wide wooden chair rail separates the upper and lower portions of the paneling. At the rear of the pulpit area, the chair rail is configured in a step pattern, with a raised center portion and one lower step on each side.

Former Sunday School Rooms The south ell contains the former Sunday School rooms, which is an open area that can be separated from the main sanctuary by a set of tall folding 8-panel grained wooden doors. Storage cabinets line the west wall, and there is a large a half-wall. On the west wall, a formerly exterior door leads to the office area. This door features Gothic hardware, and a short stained glass window tops the doorway (photo 37). (8-86) Pulpit Entrance previous level. The walls on each side of the ell contain one stained glass window with no tracery.The original wall Page 4 stained glass (photos26,27,28,29,30,31).In addition,there are shorter pointed arch windows over each of the original exterior openings. Each of the window and door openings feature ornamental metal surrounds. Two five-panel single wooden coat rack mounted on the east wall.

On the south wall, there is a stairway to the basement that is surrounded by NPS Form 10-900-a OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Rock Hill Presbyterian Church Belmont County, Ohio Section 7 Page 5 The office and secondary entrance is in the converted side porch and the attached ell that was added in the 1970s. The basement was dug out and finished in the 1950s. It can be accessed either from an outside door on the south wall or by the stairs leading from the open space in the south ell. It is very utilitarian, with concrete block walls, acoustic tile ceiling and fluorescent lighting. There is a center hallway with toilet facilities on either side. The hallway leads to small kitchen in the northeast corner (8-86) Office Basement double doors that open into the central space.

The main space is divided into three sections, with support posts delineating the sections.Accordion-style folding doors can be opened or closed on the two side sections.There is a USDI/NPS Registration Form Rock Hill Presbyterian Church Belmont County, Ohio 8. Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

Applicable National Register Criteria (Mark "x" in one or more boxes Areas of Significance for the criteria qualifying the property for National Register listing) (Enter categories from instructions) _A Property is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad Property is associated with the lives of persons C Property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and Period of Significance distinguishable entity whose components lack Property has yielded, or is likely to yield information important in prehistory or history. Significant Dates X_A owned by a religious institution or used for removed from its original location. Significant Person (Complete if Criterion B is marked above) a cemetery.

a reconstructed building, object, or structure. a commemorative property. less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past 50 years. Narrative Statement of Significance (Explain the significance of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) George D. Giffin & Co.

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

Major Bibliographical References (Cite the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form on one or more continuation sheets.) Previous documentation on file (NPS) Primary Location of Additional Data: - preliminary determination of individual listing X_ State Historic Preservation Office (36 CFR 67) has been requested - previously listed in the National Register _ previously determined eligible by the National Register - Local government designated a National Historic Landmark recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey # _recorded by Historic American Engineering Record # 1903 Other University Bibliography Architecture Federal agency patterns of our history. Architect/Builder Name of repository: religious purposes. Other State agency individual distinction. a birthplace ora grave.

Page 3 Cultural Affiliation Criteria Considerations (Mark"x"in all the boxes that apply.) significant in our past. NPS Form 10-900-a OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Rock Hill Presbyterian Church Belmont County, Ohio Section 8 Statement of Significance The Rock Hill Presbyterian Church meets Criterion C for architecture. Constructed in 1903, it is a well preserved example of the Late Gothic Revival style and a rural variation on the Akron Plan church type. The church was designed by West Virginia architect, George D. Giffin. Pultney Township and Bellaire Belmont County was formed in 1801. It was the last of the counties formed in the Northwest Territory before Ohio's statehood in 1803. The current configuration of sixteen townships was completed in 1840.

Like the county, Pultney Township was organized in 1801. In 1840 when the last township was organized, Pultney had a population of 1,745 and Limestone and sandstone quarries were among the leading industries of the township, but it was the coal industry that vicinity, owning 30,000 acres outside Bellaire and poised to open three new mines in 1903. Other representative turn-of- the-twentieth century industries in Pultney Township included a soap factory, a canning factory, and a paper mill. Agriculture also had a presence in the township and the largest Jersey dairy in the county was located south of Bellaire. The high population for the township in 1900 likely was attributed to Bellaire, "the commercial and manufacturing exceeding 10,000. Jacob Davis first laid out town lots in 1834, calling it Bell Air.

The settlement did not truly develop until 1852 when investors purchased portions of Davis' farm. The name was altered to Bellaire around the same time. Born of a desire for structured government to curtail drunken disorderliness, the town quickly incorporated in 1860. Several additions were platted throughout the 1860s and 1870s. Bellaire received city status in 1873 with a population Bellaire was poised for growth because of its strategic location on the Ohio River and being just south of the National Road. The first railroad arrived 1854, connecting Columbus to the River. This line ultimately became part of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, giving Bellaire great access to the east and west. A connection to Cleveland and the Great Lakes in the north were completed by the early 1850s.

The natural resources and the manufactured products of the area, could easily be transported anywhere in the United States. While coal mining and agriculture were the predominant industrial pursuits of the township, glass and steel dominated manufacturing in Bellaire. Several glass companies were located there beginning in the late 1800s and into the 1900s, earning Bellaire the nickname, "Glass City." The Bellaire Nail Works and the Bellaire Steel Works were two large factories employing thousands throughout their history. The Bellaire Steel Works, operated by the Carnegie Steel Company, had a separate tin plant employing 1,100 alone. (8-86) General History of 8,000. Page 1 dominated the industrial concerns of the township. The Empire Company was the largest coal mining company in the OMB No.

1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Rock Hill Presbyterian Church Belmont County, Ohio Section 8 many industrial cities in the late 20" century, factories began to close, such as the Imperial Glass Company, which people living in Bellaire. Pultney Township population for the same year was 9,700. The roots of the present Rock Hill congregation can be traced to the canopy of an elm tree on the north bank of Presbyterian minister speak. Following his sermon the group voiced a desire to form a congregation and elders were For four years the fledgling congregation met under the same tree and in the home of member John Cunningham when the weather was inclement. In 1813 a five by twelve foot booth was constructed to provide shelter to the minister, while the worshippers sat on benches outside.

By the next year an acre of land on the summit of Rock Hill was leased from John Wallace for ninety-nine years. A new booth was constructed there and a cemetery established as well. After having acquired the deed to the one acre that contained the church and cemetery, the parishioners demolished the Badly in need of repair, the congregation once again decided to replace their house of worship. With the hope that it would serve the congregation for a hundred years, a new modern church was completed in 1891. It was farther up the hill from the previous one, enjoying a more commanding view. It was described in 1903 as being "the neatest country hoped for one-hundred years. It was struck by lightning and subsequently destroyed by fire on June 25, 1902. The decision to rebuild was made July 22, 1902 by the church leadership.

The replacement church would be similar to land donated by Mary and Ermina Galloway. The new location was at the intersection of Tunnel Hill Road and Rock Hill Pike. The destruction of the 1890 church was an $8,000 loss and having a little less than $3000 from the insurance settlement, the congregation was faced with the task of raising a sizeable portion of money. Ice cream socials and numerous suppers were prepared by the women of the congregation in their homes. Their hard work allowed the new Rock Hill Presbyterian Church to be constructed and furnished without a mortgage loan. Completed at a cost of $13,000 (8-86) elected. There are currently four National Register listings in Bellaire. They include the B & O Railroad Viaduct (listed 1976), closed in the 1980s. The resulting loss of jobs correlated into a loss in population.

The 2000 census showed only 4,892 Belleview Heights (listed 1994), Imperial Glass Company (listed 1983),and the Zweig Building (listed 2000). church in Eastern Ohio." (McKelvey, p.161) Despite the wishes of the church elders, the new church did not survive the NPS Form 10-900-a Glass, steel, and coal mining continued to be the important industries in and around Bellaire into the 2oh century.In Page 2 log building and constructed a brick church in 1846. The forty-five by fifty-five building served the members until 1890. 1940, 14,000 people called Bellaire home and it was a thriving commercial center for the region. As was the case in In 1817 the congregation decided to build a proper church and the first church in the immediate vicinity was constructed. It was a log structure measuring twenty-eight by forty feet.

The first pastor assigned solely to Rock Hill Church arrived the former church, but somewhat larger as reported in the Belmont Chronicle. George D. Giffin & Co., an architectural firm from Fairmont, W. Virginia, was chosen to design the new church. It was also decided to relocate the church to NPS Form 10-900-a OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Rock Hill Presbyterian Church Belmont County, Ohio Section 8 Page 3 the church was dedicated on August 26, 1903. By the time the 1903 church was completed, membership was at 118. While the Rock Hill church had a reputation as being a wealthy church, its membership was mostly comprised of farmers and laborers. The church congregation acquired a manse in 1860.

It was located some distance north of the church and cemetery.It housed the various pastors for over one-hundred years. In 1964 it was replaced with a new ranch house. At the writing of the 1903 centennial history, Rock Hill Presbyterian Church was considered one of the two leading churches in Pultney Township. Reflecting its standing in the community, four congregations were set off from Rock Hill Presbyterian beginning in the mid 1800s. All were located in the Bellaire vicinity and include Bellaire Presbyterian Presbyterian churches in the Bellaire area include Belmont Presbyterian Church and First United Presbyterian Church. St. Clairsville. From organization in 1809 to 1882 Rock Hill Presbyterian had received nearly 600 members. Never considered a large partially be attributed to the four churches that were set off from Rock Hill, taking parishioners with them.

In 1962 the congregation numbered 164. Today membership remains around 160. Rock Hill was the third oldest Presbyterian church in Belmont County. Given its status as a leading church within the township, it's fitting that the congregation chose to build an edifice that reflected the solidity of their spiritual foundation. Because the church is being nominated under Criterion C for architecture, it meets Criteria Consideration A. The Late Gothic Revival style is characterized by smooth brick walls, pointed stained glass windows, and restrained detailing. The style was becoming popular just as the Rock Hill Church was being constructed. It illustrates the style as it was applied to churches and maintains the features that characterize the style. An interesting and unusual element on the interior is the use of pressed metal on the ceiling and walls.

Not a common ceiling treatment in a church or wall stamped metal may be a reflection of local manufactured goods from the Bellaire Steel Works, although to date firm evidence of this connection has not been found (8-86) Church (1860), Coalbrook Church (1875), Wegee Presbyterian (1851), and Kirkwood Church (1851). Two other Historic Context church, membership generally averaged around 110, until later in the 2o century. Steady membership numbers can 1890 there were twenty-one Presbyterian churches with 3,078 members in Belmont County, all part of the Presbytery of treatment in general, the material is original and included in the architect's specs,where it was specified that "all interior The other leading church of Pultney Township, High Ridge United Presbyterian Church was also Presbyterian, but of the Reformed Dissenting branch.

With roots primarily in Scotland and England, the high number of Presbyterian churches in the township, and county, can be attributed to the large number of Scotch and Scotch-Irish immigrants to the area. In The church is a good example of the early 20 century Late Gothic Revival style and a rural Akron Plan church. walls and ceilings to be covered with ornamental stamped steel ceiling of Gothic design." It is quite likely that the use of NPS Form 10-900-a OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Rock Hill Presbyterian Church Belmont County, Ohio Section 8 The nominated Rock Hill Presbyterian Church was designed by George D. Giffin & Co. of Fairmont, West Virginia. Giffin was born in Belmont County, Ohio in 1862.

Although it is not known if the Rock Hill congregation was his childhood church, it was reported in the St. Clairsville Gazette, upon the dedication of the 1903 church, that George was the son of Hugh Giffin, a member of the congregation. George Daniel Giffin relocated to Fairmont in the 1890s working establishing his architectural practice by 1901. Giffin was one of Fairmont's first architects. He built many of the city's early 20" century residences and commercial buildings, such as the Jackson Hotel, were built by him. Giffin's wife, Ida Lee was also active in the firm. (West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office) In addition to his work in Fairmont, the Buildings of West Virginia identified a Gothic Revival church in Weston constructed 1895-1900.

Noted as being cruciform in plan, it has a wooden partition closing off the south transept for separate, which possibly was an on with the firm's existence into the mid 1900s designing such structures as 56 tenement houses for the Coalwood Coal Company. Interestingly, George's grandson, Hugh J. Giffin, continued the architectural legacy of the family name working first in his father's office before forming his own in 1947. Giffin architects, to date only two buildings of his design have been documented in Ohio: Rock Hill Presbyterian and Market Street Baptist churches. The Market Street Baptist Church in Zanesville was constructed in 1905 at a cost of $43,000. It was an Akron Plan design meant to accommodate a much larger, urban congregation. The auditorium was designed to hold 700 and the accompanying Sunday School rooms held 1200.

This church is also of the Late Gothic Revival style, however, the Akron Plan configuration has been altered with the removal of the original wooden partitions and walls filling the former openings. The Akron Plan (so named for the city where it was developed by Lewis Miller and Jacob Snyder) was an invention of the Methodist denomination in the 1860s. Adopted by other non-ritual Protestant denominations, it was popular during rooms and the church's auditorium allowed for privacy in the classrooms or when opened enabled everyone to hear the speaker in the auditorium. Although there were many variations on the location of the Sunday School rooms, particularly in the early decades, the Akron Plan evolved into a standard type by the 1890s that typically consisted of the main auditorium, usually semi-circular, with smaller Sunday School rooms off of it to the rear or sides.

This layout also had the added benefit of enlarging, and sometimes doubling the size of, the auditorium for special events. The plan was so pervasive during the 1890s that several manufacturers developed a variety of wooden partitions for architects and congregations to choose from. Any sizeable congregation with the funds to build one favored the Akron Plan for new church construction during the late 1800s and early years of the 1900s. The popularity of the plan spread through publications such as church building books and architectural catalogs, as well organization of Sunday School lessons and the rise in popularity of a separate fellowship hall housing various social functions resulted in the decline of the Akron Plan.

There was no longer a need for the Sunday School rooms to all have access to a shared lecturer and the costs of constructing a fellowship hall trumped the desire for Sunday School rooms (8-86) While George Giffin enjoyed a prosperous architectural practice in West Virginia and influenced two generations of as a building supervisor, contractor, and then building inspector for the Consolidation Coal Company while also Page 4 accommodation for adjoining Sunday School space. George died in December 1925, but his son, Hugh F. Giffin carried the peak of the Sunday School movement from 1870 to the 1910s. Folding or sliding doors between the Sunday School as endorsement by denominational leaders and prominent architects of the day. However, changing philosophies in the NPS Form 10-900-a OMB No.

1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Rock Hill Presbyterian Church Belmont County, Ohio Section 8 Page 5 arranged in the Akron Plan manner. Though this church type had been all the rage for a number of decades, Akron Plans were no longer constructed by 1930. In large churches, typically in urban areas, there were multiple classrooms, sometimes on two levels. Smaller or rural churches normally only had one or two classrooms in correlation to the size of the congregation and affordability of constructing such a structure. The Akron Plan endured in popularity in part due to its adaptability in scale, adjustment to building lot conditions, budgetary constraints, and specific requirements of a congregation.

The Rock Hill Presbyterian Church reflects this adaptability of the Akron Plan configuration and exemplifies a more modest rural variation where only one or two Sunday School rooms are present at the rear of the auditorium. Rock Hill's rear Sunday School room is intact along with its original folding doors. Of the congregations set off from Rock Hill (Bellaire, Coalbrook, Wegee, and Kirkwood) at least three of them still have Kirkwood are smaller village churches and may have varied modest Akron Plans, although it is difficult to ascertain from the exterior. They both appear to have been constructed in the 1920s and are of the later, more simplified Late Gothic Revival. No Akron Plan churches in Belmont County have been listed in the National Register.

In the surrounding county region two Akron Plan churches have been listed in the National Register: First United Methodist Church of Woodsfield, Monroe County and the Methodist Episcopal Church in Jefferson County. Statewide, thirty-eight Akron Plan churches have been identified in the Ohio Historic Inventory. While an Akron Plan church is defined by its physical characteristics, it can also be defined in a more philosophical Sunday School rooms does. It is a well-preserved rural example of a congregation's desire to build a modern church at a scale that accommodated their needs. (8-86) manner as simultaneously embodying"togetherness and separateness."(Jaeger, p.173) The Rock Hill Presbyterian operating churches.

The Bellaire Presbyterian Church is a large, more urban scale Akron Plan, while Coalbrook and Church represents this aspect of an Akron Plan church as much as any large-scale, high-style urban church with multiple NPS Form 10-900-a OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Rock Hill Presbyterian Church Belmont County, Ohio Section 9 Belmont Chronicle, July 3, 1902. Bruggink, Donald J. and Carl H. Droppers. Christ and Architecture: Building Presbyterian/Reformed Churches, William Chambers, S. Allen, Buildings of West Virginia, Oxford University Press, New York, 2004. "Dedication at Rock Hill," St. Clairsville Gazette, September 2, 1903. "George Giffin, Aged East Side Resident Dies," Fairmont Times, December 28, 1925. Harper, Glenn.

Pleasant Ridge Untied Methodist Church and Cemetery National Register nomination, 1993. History of Rock Hill Presbyterian Church 1809-1962, Unpublished church history, 1962. Jaeger, A. Robert. The Auditorium and Akron Plans-Reflections of a Half Century of American Protestantism, Cornell University Masters Thesis, 1984. Lathrop, J.M. Atlas of Belmont County, Ohio, H.C. Mead Publisher, Philadelphia, 1888. McElhaney, Mary Evangelinos and Kayafas Architects with Stephen C. Gordon. Methodist Episcopal Church National Register Nomination, 2006. McKelvey, Hon. A.T. 1903 Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, Ogden, John. First United Methodist Church of Woodsfield National Register Nomination, 2006. 175 Years of Service to Our Lord: Rock Hill Presbyterian Church 1809-1984, Unpublished church history, 1984.

Rock Hill Presbyterian Church 1903-2003, Unpublished church history, 2003. (8-86) 1903. Bibliography (www.sacredplaces.org) Jenks, Brother Christopher Stephen."The Akron Plan Sunday School," Common Bond, December 1995. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, MI, 1965. History of the Upper Ohio Valley, Vol. Il, Brant & Fuller, Madison, Wisconsin, 1890. Page 1 NPS Form 10-900-a OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Rock Hill Presbyterian Church Belmont County, Ohio Section 9 Page 2 "Rock Hill Presbyterian Church Bellaire, Ohio," The Connector, April 2001. Additional Resources: West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office: Subject Files (Information on George D. Giffin), no date. Historic photo taken 1902-1912 from the collection of Robert Willis.

(8-86) http://oldstonechurchwv.com/history.htm http://www.pcusa.org/101/101-history.htm www.belmontcountyohio.org/auditor.htm http://www.bellaire.lib.oh.us/bellairehistoryv3.htm Schneider, Norris F. "Market Street Baptist Church Preserves Faith of Founders," The Zanesville Signal, 12/30/1956. USDI/NPS Registration Form Page 4 Rock Hill Presbyterian Church Belmont County, Ohio 10. Geographical Data Acreage of Property 1.62 UTM References (Place additional UTM references on a continuation sheet) Zone Easting See continuation sheet. Verbal Boundary Description (Describe the boundaries of the property on a continuation sheet.) Boundary Justification (Explain why the boundaries were selected on a continuation sheet.) 11.

Form Prepared By organization_Heritage Architectural Associates date June 2008 street & number 2307 Chapline St., Suite 2 telephone 304-233-7577 state WV zip code 26003 Submit the following items with the completed form: Continuation Sheets A USGS map (7.5 or 15 minute series) indicating the property's location. A sketch map for historic districts and properties having large acreage or numerous resources. Representative black and white photographs of the property. Additional items (Check with the SHPO or FPO for any additional items) Property Owner (Complete this item at the request of the SHPO or FPO.) Rock Hill Presbyterian Church Congregation street & number 56244 High Ridge Road _telephone 740-676-4912 city or town Bellaire eligibility for listing, to list properties, and to amend existing listings.

Response to this request is required to obtain a benefit in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.). A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a Places, 1849 "C" Street NW, Washington, DC 20240. Photographs Additional Documentation Northing name/title Steve Avdakov, Debbie Griffin, Nathalie Wright, Kathy Mast Kane city or town Wheeling Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: This information is being collected for applications to the National Register of Historic Places to nominate properties for listing or determine maintaining data, and completing and reviewing the form.

Direct comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspect of this form to Keeper, National Register of Historic _ state OH zip code 43906 Estimated Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average18.1 hours per response including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering and valid OMB control number. NPS Form 10-900-a OMB No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Rock Hill Presbyterian Church Belmont County, Ohio Section 10 Verbal Boundary Description The nominated property includes Parcel ID # 26-60034.000 with the legal description of R2 T3 S31 NW 1.62AC, both defined by the Belmont County Auditor. The nominated boundary includes the property historically associated with the Rock Hill Presbyterian Church. (8-86) Verbal Boundary Justification Page 1 OMB No.

1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Rock Hill Presbyterian Church Belmont County, Ohio Photographer: Debbie Griffin 2307 Chapline St., Suite 2, Wheeling WV 26003 View of site from north along High Ridge Road View from corner of southern and eastern facades View from corner of northern and western facades Detail of entrance at bell tower Detail of stained glass window along High Ridge Road Detail of 1950s addition to western and southern façades Detail of cornerstone from 1890s Detail of window in the bell tower entry View of Sanctuary from rear center looking north to pulpit area View of Sanctuary from southeastern corner looking to altar area View from pulpit looking southwest to Sanctuary View looking south through Sanctuary to former Sunday School room Detail of pulpit area showing modifications Detail of pews Detail of typical pew end panel Detail of ornamental metal wainscoting Detail of ornamental metal wainscoting and wall panels Detail of ornamental metal ceiling Detail of ornamental metal jamb at window opening Detail of large stained glass window on the eastern facade Detail of large stained glass window in the former Sunday School on the southern Detail of small stained glass window in the western façade Detail of small stained glass window in the former Sunday School on the southern Detail of wood panel doors separating the former Sunday School from the Sanctuary Detail of pendant light fixture Detail of floor in Sanctuary View of stairs to basement View of basement View of former exterior door leading to office facade Negatives: Date: (8-86) April 30, 2008 NPS Form 10-900-a Eastern facade Southern facade Page 1 Section Photos OMB No.

1024-0018 (Rev. 10-90) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES Additional Documentation Page 1 BELMONT CO., OH 8 Photo Key - First Floor PULPIT OPFICE Belmont County, Ohio CONTINUATION SHEET NPS Form 10-900 ROCKHILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ROOM SANCTUARY NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Rev. 10-90) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES Additional Documentation Page 2 Belmont County, Ohio Photo Key - Basement ASSEMBLY CONTINUATION SHEET STORAGE Rockhill Presbyterian Church BELMONTCO.,OHIO ASEMENT LEVEL PLAI HALL Additional Documentation Page 3 CONTINUATION SHEET NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES United States Department of the Interior (Rev. 10-90) NPS Form 10-900 OMB No.

1024-0018 Belmont County, Ohio Rockhill Presbyterian Church National Park Service Original Plans & Elevations OMB No. 1024-0018 NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES United States Department of the Interior CONTINUATION SHEET Additional Documentation Page 4 Original Plans & Elevations National Park Service NPS Form 10-900 (Rev. 10-90) Rockhill Presbyterian Church Belmont County, Ohio NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Rev. 10-90) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Additional Documentation Page 5 Belmont County, Ohio Original Plans & Elevations Rockhill Presbyterian Church NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Rev.

10-90) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES Additional Documentation Page 6 Belmont County, Ohio Original Plans & Elevations Rockhill Presbyterian Church CONTINUATION SHEET NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Rev. 10-90) United States Department of the Interior NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Additional Documentation Page Z Belmont County, Ohio Original Plans & Elevations Rockhill Presbyterian Church National Park Service NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Rev.

10-90) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Additional Documentation Page 8 Belmont County, Ohio Original Plans & Elevations Rockhill Presbyterian Church United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Additional Documentation Page 9 Belmont County, Ohio NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 Rockhill Presbyterian Church Original Plans & Elevations (Rev.

10-90) United States Department of the Interior NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES CONTINUATION SHEET Additional Documentation Page 10 Belmont County, Ohio Original Plans & Elevations Rockhill Presbyterian Church National Park Service UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET NAME : DATE OF 45TH DAY: N PDIL: N PERIOD: N PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: COMMENT WAIVER: N ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: If a nomination is returned to the nominating authority, the nomination is no longer under consideration by the NPS.

TELEPHONE DATE RETURN DISCIPLINE REJECT MULTIPLE 3/24/09 REVIEWER 4/03/09 2/18/09 RECOM./CRITERIA OTHER: The National Register DATE RECEIVED: REASONS FOR REVIEW: Historic Places DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: DATE OF 16TH DAY: Entered in STATE & COUNTY: OHIO, Belmont REQUEST: N DOCUMENTATION see attached comments I/N see attached SLR Y/N SAMPLE: STOP Rock Hill Pres. Chorch Belwout Co.OH Belmont Co. OH Belmont Co, OH 4. Rock Hill Pes. Church Rocl Hill Pres. Churzh ROCK HILL PRESBY TERIAN CHURCH ROCK - HILL - PRESBYTERIAN - MORLD. HAPPENS EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN THIS AT THE TIME GOD Rock Hill Pres. Church Belmon+ Co., 6H Belwout Co. OH Rock Hill Pres. Church Belmont Co., OH Belwout Co., OH Belmout BelmontLo.OH Rock Hill Pres. Church Belmaut Co, OH 16. ROCK HILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BELMONT Belmont Lo. OH Belmont Co., OH Belmnt Lo.oH Belmont Co, OH Rock Hill Pres Church Belwon+ Lo.

OH Bock Hill Pres. Chuch RockHill Pres. Church Rock Hill Pres. Church Belmont Ca, OH Belmont Lo, OH Belmont Co Belwaut Co, OH Bemonut Co. OH Belmont Co., OH Belmont Co., OH Rock Hill Pres.Lh. Belmont Co., OH Belmont o, OH Rock Hill Pres.Chueh Rock Hill Pres.Chueh 75 MINUTE SERIES (TOPOGRAPHIC) | 1994 UNITED STATES LANSING QUADRANGLE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR LANSING, OHIO OHIO-BELMONT CO. ROCK HILL DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES STATE OF OHIO 17/519337/4431713 RECEIVED 2280 FEB 18 2009 NAT. REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES National Park Service 2280 Ms. Jan Matthews, Associate Director and Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places 1201 "T' (Eye) Street, NW Washington DC 20005 Dear Ms. Matthews: notification procedures have been followed for these new submissions.

NEW NOMINATION Friends Boarding School and Ohio Yearly Meeting Historic District Rock Hill Presbyterian Church Loveridge, Richard and Ann, House Town Pump of East Sparta If you have questions or comments about these documents, please contact the National Register staff in the Ohio Historic Preservation Office at (614) 298-2000. Dr. William K. Laidlaw, Jr. State Historic Preservation Officer Ohio Historic Preservation Office COUNTY Hamilton HISTORY Knox Belmont Sincerely, Enclosures Stark OHIO www.ohiohistory.org OHIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY National Register Enclosed please find five (5) new National Register nominations for Ohio. All appropriate Cheviot Fieldhouse February 11, 2009 567 East Hudson Street, Columbus, Ohio 43211-1030 ph: 614.298.2000 fx: 614.298.2037