Old South Church
Why it's listed
Old South Church is a white frame church at 9802 Chillicothe Road in Kirtland, Ohio. Its rectangular, gable-roofed form is anchored by a three-story east tower topped with an octagonal spire, round-arched entrance doors, buttresses and Venetian Gothic windows with tracery. Inside, the sanctuary has a choir gallery above the entry, supported by columns, and detailed woodwork around the chancel. Ground was broken in 1859 under builder Col. J.F. Morse, and a bell was added to the tower in 1865; it remains, though cracked. The building follows a congregation organized in 1819 as the first church in Kirtland. Earlier worship took place in a log cabin and then a large frame building damaged by a storm in 1842. That congregation is among the oldest in the Western Reserve and was first served by Reverend Joseph Badger, the Reserve's first itinerant preacher. The church blends Carpenter Gothic and Romanesque styles and is considered a good example of its type in Lake County.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church is a good example of its type in Lake County, combining Carpenter Gothic and Romanesque styles common to churches of its era. It also represents one of the oldest congregations in the Western Reserve, first served by Reverend Joseph Badger, the Reserve's first itinerant preacher.
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 73001485, listed September 20, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 9802 Chillicothe Rd., Kirtland |
|---|---|
| County | Lake County |
| Listed | September 20, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001485 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific date 1859) |
| Architect / builder | Col. J.F. Morse (builder) |
| Architectural style | Combination of Carpenter Gothic and Romanesque |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as excellent condition, unaltered, on its original site, occupied and in religious use; a basement was added in the 20th century. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 41.60444, -81.35024 (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 73001485.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7085002
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.