View source for Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church (Pleasant City, Ohio)

{{short description|Historic church in Ohio, United States}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name         = Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church
| nrhp_type    =
| image        = Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church.jpg
| caption      = The Bethel M.E. Church in Guernsey County.
| nearest_city = [[Pleasant City, Ohio]]
| coordinates  = {{coord|39|54|4|N|81|35|1|W|display=inline,title}}
| locmapin     = Ohio#USA
| built        = 1873
| architecture = [[Romanesque Revival architecture|Romanesque Revival]]
| added        = November 24, 1978
| area         = less than one acre
| refnum       = 78002072<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2009a}}</ref>
}}
The '''Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church''' is located west of [[Pleasant City, Ohio|Pleasant City]], [[Ohio]] on [[Ohio State Route 146|SR 146]]. The church was placed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] on November 24, 1978.
==History==
The [[Methodist]] presence in [[Guernsey County, Ohio|Guernsey County]] was localized around what is today [[Valley Township, Guernsey County, Ohio|Valley Township]] even before this township was created. The congregation met in the barns of several members until the needs for a church building became evident in the early 19th century. In 1832, John Robins donated a site on the southern side of SR 146 for a church and cemetery.{{citation needed|date=February 2014}}  The resulting [[framing (construction)|frame]] building was used until 1873.  Growth in membership caused the building to become too small,<ref name=dohp>Owen, Lorrie K., ed.  ''Dictionary of Ohio Historic Places''.  Vol. 1.  [[St. Clair Shores, Michigan|St. Clair Shores]]: Somerset, 1999, 551.</ref> and the idea of a new building was discussed. The new site chosen was across the road and construction on the new building began in 1871. The church was finally completed in 1873 in the [[Romanesque Revival architecture|Romanesque Revival style]], reminiscent of the many churches in the [[New England]] states. The architect is unknown, but several candidates have been named.{{citation needed|date=February 2014}}
The church was remodeled in 1898; worn-out decorations were repaired, and the building was restored to its former glory. The rededication was led by Dr. David H. Moore.  After the church moved in 1960 to the city of [[Cambridge, Ohio|Cambridge]], a community organization, Bethel Community Church, Inc., was formed to protect the building from alteration or destruction, and the East Ohio [[Annual Conferences of the United Methodist Church|Annual Conference]] sold them the building for one dollar.{{citation needed|date=February 2014}}  Following this transaction, the church was converted into a [[community center]].<ref name=dohp />
==Exterior==
The rectangular red brick structure is located on a shady tree-filled plot. The front facade is three bays wide, with a central projection containing large wooden double doors. Above the doors is a [[fanlight]] to allow the morning light to penetrate the building. To either side of the door is a large rectangular stained glass window, designed and shipped from [[Germany]]. Above the entrance is a large arched window similar to the lower side windows.
The central projection is topped by a bell tower which rests on a [[dentil]] cornice. The arched openings of the tower are decorated with wooden [[fretwork]] and the original bell rests on its mount; the bell's mechanism still works. The tower is capped by a spire which once housed a [[lightning rod]], but now ends in a ball.
The side facade is lined with four large arched windows similar to the front, also from [[Germany]]. The windows are each topped with a sandstone arch with a large projecting keystone.
The church was heavily vandalized in 2005, leaving a large hole in the triple mason walls, and all of the windows broken, many beyond recognition. The burdens of maintaining the church as well as repairing the damage are more than can be covered by the current caretaker, so much of the damage is still evident.
==References==
{{reflist}}
==Further reading==
*Wolfe, William G.; ''Stories of Guernsey County, Ohio''
*Sarchet, Col. Cyrus P.B.; ''History of Guernsey County, Ohio'' 1911
{{NRHP in Guernsey County, Ohio}}{{National Register of Historic Places in Ohio}}
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Guernsey County, Ohio]]
[[Category:Churches on the National Register of Historic Places in Ohio]]
[[Category:Churches completed in 1873]]
[[Category:19th-century Methodist church buildings in the United States]]
[[Category:United Methodist churches in Ohio]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Guernsey County, Ohio]]
[[Category:Community centers in Ohio]]