Pataskala United Methodist Church Explained

Pataskala United Methodist Church
Location:458 S. Main St., Pataskala, Ohio
Coordinates:39.9881°N -83.0264°W
Built:1897
Builder:Henry Brooke & William Condit
Architecture:Gothic Revival
Added:September 22, 1983
Area:less than one acre
Mpsub:Pataskala MRA
Refnum:83001999

Pataskala United Methodist Church is a historic church building at 458 S. Main Street in Pataskala, Ohio.

Circuit riders established the first regular services of the Pataskala United Methodist Church in 1853. Meetings were held in a schoolhouse located where the present Pataskala Town Hall now stands.[1]

William H. Mead II raised funds to construct the current brick structure in 1896–1897. The church building was designed by Henry Brookes. Brookes and William Condit "hand hewed the rafters and siding," while the pulpit was hand carved by Julia Brookes. The bell was hung in 1897.

Remodels to the building since its initial construction include the addition of a basement in 1910 that was later enlarged in 1928, the installation of a pipe organ in 1928, "the remodeling of the choir loft and chancel area in 1964," and an education wing and social hall addition in 1971. In 1927, L. R. Moore designed and painted the portrait of Christ in the sanctuary.

The building has elements of Gothic Revival styling. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

Its history and significance was described in 1979 as:

Pataskala United Methodist Church is significant to the religious history of the community. Architecturally the church is an example of late 19th Century Eccleastical style often found in small towns and rural areas. Architectural elements include the Gothic Revival inspired squat buttressed bell tower and pointed arched stain glass windows and the Stick style exposed truss in gable over the side entrance. Methodism came to Lima Township and Pataskala in 1853. One of the three most prominent religions established in Pataskala, the United Methodist congregation was comprised in part by local business leaders.[2]

It was listed on the National Register as a follow-on to a 1980 study of historic resources in Pataskala.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Book: People Make the Difference, Licking County, Ohio: Townships of Etna, Harrison, Jersey, Lima, Pataskala . Southwestern Licking County Communities Bicentennial Planning Committee . 1976 . Licking County, OH: [S.l.] . VII-31.
  2. none . Ohio Historic Inventory: Pataskala United Methodist Church / Methodist Episcopal Church . Judith A. Cruikshank . February 1979 . August 30, 2022 . Includes two photos from 1980.
  3. none. National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Pataskala MRA . Nancy Recchie . November 1980 . . August 29, 2022.