Methodist Episcopal Church
Also known as: Malvern United Methodist Church
Why it's listed
Built in 1898-1899 at the northwest corner of Thoman and Union Streets in Crestline, this stone-faced church was erected for a growing Methodist Episcopal congregation of over 250 members. Bauer, Minich & Emmer of Crestline were the contractors, and the building cost $15,600. Its Romanesque Revival design includes round-arched openings, three towers with pyramidal roofs and bellcast eaves, and large stained glass windows that remain original. The brick walls were resurfaced with perma-stone in 1929-1930. Inside, the sanctuary follows the Akron plan, with a Tudor-style ceiling of exposed wooden beams and carved oak at the chancel. Folding doors link the sanctuary to an educational wing. The church was judged locally significant for its architecture and as a key part of Crestline's 'Street of Churches.' It also records the congregation's history, which began in 1843 and continued through several Methodist denominational mergers.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church is locally significant as an example of Romanesque Revival architecture, with round-arched openings, three towers and rich ornamentation. It is also an important part of Crestline's 'Street of Churches' streetscape. Historically, it is the home of Crestline's Methodist congregation, whose roots go back to 1843.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF). NRHP reference 100010474, listed July 5, 2024. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 121 West Wood Street, Malvern |
|---|---|
| County | Carroll County |
| Listed | July 5, 2024 |
| Reference number | 100010474 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1898-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Bauer, Minich & Emmer |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as well maintained and occupied by the congregation, with the interior repainted in 1977 and new carpeting and pews installed in 1978. |
| Acreage | 0.16 |
| Coordinates | 40.69373, -81.18217 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 100010474.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives)
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.