Nomination for Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form No. 10-300 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM NOV 2 4 1978 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES - COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS AND/OR COMMON 2 LOCATION STREET & NUMBER - NOT FOR PUBLICATION CITY TOWN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT X VICINITY OF PRESENT USE AGRICULTURE _WORK IN PROGRESS - PRIVATE RESIDENCE PUBLIC ACQUISITION _IN PROCESS - YES: RESTRICTED SCIENTIFIC BEING CONSIDERED OWNER OF PROPERTY 5 LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION REGISTRY OF DEEDS,ETC.

Ohio 43725 REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS DEPOSITORY FOR Columbus, Ohio 059 039 1977 Guernsey BOTH DATE CODE CATEGORY TITLE Cambridge OBJECT ACCESSIBLE STATE Court Square HISTORIC COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMERCIAL GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP CLASSIFICATION DISTRICT PUBLIC RELIGIOUS STATUS Ohio INDUSTRIAL MILITARY Ohio Historical Center Guernsey County Court House NAME _EDUCATIONAL COURTHOUSE. New Concord PRIVATE Pleasant City PH0669482 Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church Ohio Historic Inventory 18 Douglas Applegate SURVEY RECORDS -ENTERTAINMENT DATE ENTERED 170 Highland Drive BUILDING(S) State Route 146 _UNOCCUPIED FOR NPS USE ONLY _MUSEUM -SITE -STRUCTURE -PARK (Rev. 10-74) MAY 22 1978 OH 43767 _FEDERAL XSTATE COUNTY _LOCAL RECEIVED XORIGINAL SITE _MOVED DATE FAIR DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

keystone. At the midpoint of the tower is a second round-arched void which contains Finally, the tower-is capped with a stately open frame steeple, complete with a function- ing bell. Restrained brick buttresses divide the sides of the church into four bays each. with a rounded stone lintel with a keystone, 'similar to the adornment of the front door These windows are probably the crowning touch of the church, for they are of truly has sagged a bit, and a few pieces have been lost. The church is covered by a metal Bethel Cemetery, founded in 1836, the burying ground for the church's founders and CONDITION UNALTERED gable roof. 7DESCRIPTION the church's exterior is the fine single tower which rises from the center bay of Iron grillwork covers several voids in the foundation which allow a certain degree and tower window.As might be expected, some of the sills have deteriorated somewhat.

church opens onto a farmed field.Across the highway and just west of the church is magnificent stained leaded glass, far more ornate than those usually found in the country of course, the stained glass windows produce a breathtaking effect on the interior. of rusticated ashlar sandstone, which rises to a height of two stones above ground. many of its subsequent members. a paneled double door set in a round arch and capped with a rounded lintel with a XEXCELLENT CHECK ONE Every bay contains a tall round-arched window, set on a sandstone sill and capped leaded-stained glass.-The-church's semicircular date stone is set-above this window.

highway lies to the south, a wooded area is to the north, and the east side of the The church is locatedon the north side of State Route 146,approximately two - DETERIORATED - UNEXPOSED latest"remodeling"in 1898.There isa dias at the front of the sanctuary,whereon -GOOD are located the pulpit, altar, and choir. The woodwork is all of dark wood, perhaps walnut, and the pews feature delicately carved decorations. . The ceiling reveals that the facade, and projects slightly from the facade. The tower is square in plan and houses the entrance to the church in its lower level. This entrance is through DATE XALTERED miles west of Pleasant City, in Valley Township.It is located in the southeast The interior of Bethel Church appears to be little altered from the time of its -RUINS AREAS OF

Statement of significance

Romanesque Revival building which is continuing.to function in its_current adaptive.use farmer Hugh McCoy's barn, although later they moved to the home of "Uncle Bill" Johnson establishment of a cemetery. A small frame building was built at a cost of $780. This (now State Route 146), adjacent to the cemetery- By the 1870s, the congregation had outgrown its first home and the present brick T.I. Moore, E. A. Robins, and R. I. Shepler. A remodeling project in 1898 cost $2,500, and was directed by Shepler, John H. Robins, B. C. Johnson, A. P.

Fishel and ministers were ordained from the Bethel congregation, one woman served as a missionary finally decided in 1960 to close the Bethel Church, as the congregation was not large three local parishioners formed the Bethel Community Church, Inc., and purchased the 1700-1799 1500-1599 INVENTION COMMERCE LAW ART SIGNIFICANCE ENGINEERING POLITICS/GOVERNMENT ECONOMICS ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC SCULPTURE PERIOD SCIENCE X1800-1899 BUILDER/ARCHITECT THEATER TRANSPORTATION PHILOSOPHY AGRICULTURE LITERATURE INDUSTRY MILITARY _COMMUNICATIONS EDUCATION focal point which serves to strengthen and preserve often-disregarded ties to the cultural MUSIC religious, and architectural heritage of southern Guernsey County.

-1600-1699 -EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT This.fine ecclesiastical edifice derives its primary significance from its J.M.Scott.At this time the church was rededicated by Dr.David H.Moore.Sixteen Valley was the last township in Guernsey County tobe established,having been X.RELIGION for their meetings.In 1836 John Robins (who had emigrated from the Isle of Guernsey in l807) donated land to the congregation for the erection of the church and the as a community center. -1400-1499 -1900- architecture which sets it apart from most of the other-rural churches in this area. significance and character, and are without a doubt some of the finest to be found in first church was located on the south side of the Pleasant City - Cumberland road Scioto River.Six sections in the north of the township are part of the U.S. Military The Ohio Methodist Conference in South America, and six women married ministers.

the rural church buildings in this area.This is.a very well-preserved, well-cared for

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES 22, 1914. Pp. 1001, 1003, 1008-1011. 10 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION Located in the southeast quarter of Section 12 of Valley Township, on the north side of State Route 146, approximately 2 miles west of the village of Pleasant City. Beginning approximately 20 feet east of the church building, at the intersection of State Route 146 and a!fence line, then west along State Route I46 approximately 270 STATE - 11 FORM PREPARED BY NAME / TITLE David L. Taylor, Regional Historic Preservation Officer July 28, 1977 STREET & NUMBER 1425 Newark Ra (614) 453-0762 CITY OR TOWN 12 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE IS: NATIONAL - LOCAL I As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic.

Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665). I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service. STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER SIGNATURE FOR NPS USE ONLY ATTEST KEEPER OF-THE-NATIONAL-REGISTER GPO 892-453 CODE ORGANIZATION Zanesville DATE TELEPHONE NORTHING COUNTY Ohio University-Zanesville UTM REFERENCES Less than one acre feet to a tree line; then northeast along said tree line to the fence running east ZONE EASTING SHPO of the church building;then south along the fehceline to the place of beginning. 14.411.617.2.0 Ohio 43701 REGISTER "History of Old Bethel Methodist Church," Daily Times (Cambridge, Ohio), August Wolf, William G.

Guernsey County Stories (Cambridge, Ohio: by the author, 1943), 1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY Photos OK 5.23.78 well-justified, I think, in architecture. Inventory - NOV 2 4 1978 OTHER KEEPER ARCHEOLOGIST Entered HAER Send-back Maps Re-submit TECHNICAL Significance: HISTORIAN Review National Register Write-up BRANCH CHIEF Federal Register Entry United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WAso No.7 Working Number 5.22. 78. 3152 2-6-79 IN T:2106- 74 CONTROL ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN vicinity Pleasant City, Ohio Photo by David L. Taylor, 4/78 Zanesville, Z anesville, Ohio bell and tower NOV 2 4 1978 MAY 2 2 1978 BETHEL METHODIST CHURCH View of belfry, from the SE, showing intact Negative GUE-5-1-3, filed at Ohio University- Photo by David L.

Taylor, 4/18 Negative GUE-5-1-4, filed at Ohio University- Zanesville, Zanesville, Ohio NOV 2 4 1978 MAY 2 2 1978 W facade and main entrance. View of church building, from SW, showing BETHEL METHODIST CHURCH vicinity Pleasant City, Ohio NOV 2 4 1978 MAY 2 2 1978 ELO DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 17 450100 44/6720 BYESVILLE QUADRANGLE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Bethel Methodist NOV 2 4 1978 Episcopal Church SCALE 1:24000 RECEIVED BYESVILLE, OHIb UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 7.5 MINUTE SERIES (TOPOGRAPHIC) DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF GEOLOGICAL SURVEY STATE OF OHIO MAY 2 2 1978 UTM References STATE OHIO NOV 2 4 1978 Honorable Howard M. Metzenbaum Honorable John H. Glenn, Jr. Columbus, Ohio 43211 Byers/bjr Location Name Director 12/4/78 Honorable Douglas Applegate State Historic Preservation Officer Also Notified Guernsey County Honorable Delbert L.

Latta Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER MacNichol Site Pleasant City vicinity The Ohio Historical Society Date Entered Interstate 7l at 17th Avenue Wood County Dr. Thomas H. Smith NOV 2 4 1978 city / town W of Pleasant City on OH 146 SOURCE Of NOMINATION - LOCAL - deteriorated Oaltered 17) features: Dexeellent Oruins Omoved O NOT INTACT-O -unexposed Dreconstructed - Unknown Ounexeavated ZO NOT APPLICABLE - 9 - No Access SAVED?

-YES AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE : - RECREATION -28 - LANDSCAPE ARCH.- 15 - POLITICS / GOVT." 21 'first' O -ARCHEOLOGY - prehistoric-2 - LAW - 16 C RELIGION- 22 C SETTLEMENT-29 -ARCHEOLOGY - historic- 1 - COMMUNICATIONS -7 -EXPLORATION -12 - LITERATURE- 17 - SCIENCE- 23 'oldest' O - AGRICULTURE -3 - CONSERVATION - 8 C HEALTH-27 C MILITARY - 18 - ARCHITECTURE-4 - ECONOMICS-9 - INDUSTRY - 13 C MUSIC - 19 - SOCIAL / CULTURAL- 30 'only' D - EDUCATION-10 - INVENTION - 14 - PHILOSOPHY - 20 - TRANSPORTATION - 25 3functions major alterations : ( architectural style(s): @bullder/contractor: EVENTS : _date.

IF ADDITIONAL SPACE NEEDED, NUMBER & PUT ON REVERSE Guernsey PH0669482 ASSOCIATION FEDERAL PERSONAL: ENGINEERING-11 STATE INSTITUTIONAL: ENTERTAINMENT-26 historic events: artist: Pleasant City landscape architect/garden designer: SUBSTANTIALLY INTACT-1 CURRENTLY: COMMERCE-6 WHEN HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT: Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church vicinity of artisan: PRIVATE ORGANIZATION ART-5 URBAN PLANWING-31 NATIONAL REGISTER WRITE-UP Ohio Univ.-Zanesville NATIONAL REGISTER DATA SHEET dates of initial construction: Coriginal site ADMINISTRATOR: county code date of entry: reviewers initials, BNPS REGION: 2 OTHER NAMES: -YES -Restricted COCLAIMS: explain 1) interior decorator: 1CONGRESS. DISTRICT 18th CONDITION NAMES engineer: master builder: Cunknown give role & date Dfair ACREAGE