Bethel Baptist Church
Why it's listed
Built in the 1850s at the northeast corner of Vine and Cedar Streets in Pataskala, this one-story brick church is the oldest church in the community. It rests on a stone foundation and has a central tower with battlements that holds the entrance. Round arched openings have hoodmoulds, and corbelled brickwork decorates the crenellated bell tower. A small wing was added at the rear later. The building sits on a small lot close to the street in a residential neighborhood and has no outbuildings. Its first congregation sold it in 1869 to the Evangelical United Brethren, one of the first three churches formed in Pataskala. It later became a Baptist church, which remains its use. The architect and builder are not recorded. The building was recognized as a simple and effective example of early Romanesque Revival design from the mid-nineteenth century, and for its long service to several congregations.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as a simple, effective example of early Romanesque Revival architecture of the mid-nineteenth century. It is also the oldest church in Pataskala and has served several congregations over time.
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 83001990, listed September 22, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Vine and Cedar Sts., Pataskala |
|---|---|
| County | Licking County |
| Listed | September 22, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83001990 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a church (Baptist) and in good condition, both inside and out, as recorded in the 1980 inventory. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.00020, -82.67753 (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 83001990.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4897866
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.