Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church
Why it's listed
Bethel Church is a brick Romanesque Revival building on State Route 146, about two miles west of Pleasant City in Guernsey County, Ohio. Built in the 1870s at a cost of $5,000, it replaced a small frame church of 1836 that had been built for a congregation meeting since 1833. A square center tower holds the round-arched entrance, a stained glass window, a date stone and an open steeple with a working bell. Brick buttresses divide each side into four bays, each with a tall round-arched window of ornate leaded stained glass. The interior, little changed since a 1898 remodeling, has dark woodwork, carved pews and a stenciled ceiling pattern. The Ohio Methodist Conference closed the church in 1960, and three local parishioners then bought it and formed Bethel Community Church, Inc. It now serves as a community center. Its architecture and stained glass distinguish it among rural churches of the area.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church is significant mainly for its architecture, which sets it apart from most rural churches in the area. Its leaded stained glass windows are described as among the finest in the area's rural churches. It is well preserved and still serves the community as a community center.
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 78002072, listed November 24, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | W of Pleasant City on OH 146, Pleasant City |
|---|---|
| County | Guernsey County |
| Listed | November 24, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002072 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Religion |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Well preserved and in adaptive use as a community center; the Methodist Conference closed the church in 1960 and it was bought by a community church corporation. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.90105, -81.58357 (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 78002072.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4897917
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.