Main Street Methodist Episcopal Church South Explained

Main Street Methodist Church
Designated Other1:Virginia Landmarks Register
Designated Other1 Date:October 16, 1990[1]
Designated Other1 Number:108-0063
Designated Other1 Num Position:bottom
Location:767 Main St., Danville, Virginia
Coordinates:36.5848°N -79.3964°W
Built:1865-1873, 1890-1891, 1923
Architect:Heard, J. Bryant; Et al.
Architecture:Romanesque Revival
Added:December 6, 1990
Area:2acres
Refnum:90001822

Main Street Methodist Church, also known as the Main Street United Methodist Church, is a historic Methodist church located at Danville, Virginia. It was built between 1865 and 1873, and is a scored stucco over brick, Romanesque Revival style porch. It features an elaborate 87feet tall, corner bell tower that dates from an 1890-1891 church enlargement and remodeling. A complementary flanking educational building was added in 1923. It is known locally as the "Mother Church of Methodism in Danville."[2]

The former Main Street United Methodist Church is the only Danville house of worship included on the National Register of Historic Places. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.

Donated by the Methodists to the nonprofit Danville Preservation League in 2008,[3] its upkeep became too large a burden for the nonprofit. This structure has been in the private hands of William & Tania Hardin since 2016[3] who have taken on the responsibility of caring for the oldest standing church building in Danville. It held the offices and archives of Danville's Historic Society[4] prior to their relocation in April 2019. It is now available to rent for events.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Virginia Landmarks Register. Virginia Department of Historic Resources. 19 March 2013.
  2. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Main Street Methodist Church . Louise R. Roediger. August 1990. Virginia Department of Historic Resources. and Accompanying photo
  3. Web site: City of Danville. gis.danville-va.gov. 2018-05-11.
  4. Web site: Danville Historical Society Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce. Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce. en. 2018-05-11.