Welsh Presbyterian Church
Also known as: Columbus Metropolitan Area Community Action Organization (CM
Why it's listed
Built in 1887-1888 at 315 E. Long Street in downtown Columbus, this brick church was erected for a Welsh Presbyterian congregation organized in 1849. A storm heavily damaged the nearly finished building in 1887, and it was completed in 1888 at a cost of $25,000. The congregation used it until 1919, when it moved to a new church on Miami Avenue. The building then served as a commercial outlet for a regalia manufacturer, offices for a freight company, and later offices for a community action organization. Its Romanesque Revival design gives it a fortress-like appearance, with slender turrets, buttresses, round-arched openings, a steeply pitched slate roof and stone copings on the gables. A two-story rear wing was added later. The interior has been altered, though the timber framing and sanctuary arch survive. Few nineteenth-century buildings remain in this part of downtown, which adds to the importance of the church's largely intact exterior.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is a notable example of Romanesque Revival architecture in downtown Columbus, where few nineteenth-century buildings survive. Its exterior remains virtually intact, with a fortress-like look, turrets, buttresses, a steeply pitched slate roof and decorative stone copings.
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 80003003, listed November 24, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 315 E. Long St., Columbus |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | November 24, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80003003 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1888 |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied; used as offices by a community action organization. Interior altered since 1919, with timber framing and the sanctuary arch intact. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.96566, -82.99246 (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 80003003.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7981967
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.