West Baptist Church
Also known as: Bible Church of God; Old School; Hardshell
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Built in 1860 at 500 West Mulberry Street in Lebanon, Ohio, this two-story brick church was erected by the West Baptists, one of two Baptist congregations in the city. The group was small and conservative, having split from the East Baptists in 1836 over the doctrine of general atonement, and it disbanded in the early twentieth century. The building has a gabled roof, a pediment on the front facade, brick corner piers, and tall windows with stone lintels set between the piers. Its plain walls and simple details create a play of light and shadow, a version of Greek Revival also found in Lebanon's older houses, the Lebanon Academy and some commercial buildings. A 1960s neon sign and replacement colored glass are the main changes, but the original window pane count remains. The church was listed for its architecture and is considered the least altered church in Lebanon. It is still used for worship.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church is a relatively unaltered example of the Greek Revival style applied to a religious building in Lebanon. Its severe, plain design is seen as reflecting the conservative nature of the West Baptist (Old School) congregation. It is described as the least altered of Lebanon's churches, and it was nominated as an exception to the religious-property rule on architectural grounds.
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 84000161, listed October 18, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 500 W. Mulberry St., Lebanon |
|---|---|
| County | Warren County |
| Listed | October 18, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84000161 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1860 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Religion |
| Level of significance | State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a church (Bible Church of God); exterior condition good, with a 1960s neon sign and newer colored window glass as alterations. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.43519, -84.21422 (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 84000161.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7984384
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.