First Baptist Church
Why it's listed
Built in 1888 on the west side of Main Street in Vermilion, Ohio, this one-story wood-frame church faces the public square known as Victory Park. It has a gabled roof with asphalt shingles, clapboard siding, a stone and block foundation and a rectangular plan. A survey describes it as an excellent example of a Stick style, Italianate and Gothic frame church, with Victorian Gothic given as its style. Its steeple carries elaborate wood ornament, and its stubby shape suggests a taller steeple once stood above it. Over the years the building has been altered and added to, including a large rounded addition at the front and a lengthened rear that holds classrooms. The Baptist congregation is among Vermilion's older ones, and this is one of the few downtown churches that remain in the city. The site has a spacious lawn and shade trees, with a rail line to the north. The congregation has considered building in the country, which the survey notes could leave this building abandoned.
Significance in brief: The inventory describes it as one of Vermilion's older congregations and one of the city's few remaining downtown churches. It is called an excellent example of a Stick style/Italianate/Gothic frame church, and its steeple has elaborate wood ornament.
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 79003954, listed November 14, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 728 Main St., Vermilion |
|---|---|
| County | Erie County |
| Listed | November 14, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79003954 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Victorian Gothic (described as Stick style/Italianate/Gothic frame church) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In use as a church; condition rated fair inside and out. The inventory notes the congregation plans to build a church in the country, putting this building in danger of abandonment. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.42043, -82.36555 (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 79003954.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5452440
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.