Bethel Methodist Church
Also known as: Old Bethel; Collins Chapel
Why it's listed
Old Bethel, also called Collins Chapel, is a small frame church with a stone foundation on Elk Lick Road, about a mile north of Bantam in Clermont County, Ohio. A log church stood on the site first, followed by a frame building in 1818 that was remodeled in 1867. The gabled structure has a bell tower at its east end, an unusual paneled-door entrance with no facade windows, and four bays of 12-over-12 windows along each side. It was built by John Collins, a Methodist minister and circuit rider from New Jersey who bought land in the Virginia Military Tract in 1803 and settled other New Jersey families there. He helped start Methodist churches in several Ohio towns, and the church served as the community's social center. The success of the New Jersey Settlement led to the founding of Bantam in the 1820s. The graveyard holds the maternal grandparents of Ulysses Grant. The church was listed as an example of pioneer church architecture.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it a good example of pioneer church architecture in southwestern Ohio. It is also a memorial to the early settlers of the New Jersey Settlement and the founding of Bantam. Its builder and minister, John Collins, was instrumental in spreading Methodism in southern Ohio.
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) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 78002020, listed August 11, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1 mi. N of Bantam on Elk Lick Rd., Bantam |
|---|---|
| County | Clermont County |
| Listed | August 11, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002020 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | John Collins |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture, Religion |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition, altered, unoccupied and being restored; the roof was rebuilt and bell tower repaired in 1976, with interior repairs under way. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.00722, -84.13826 (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 78002020.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4897916
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.