Belmont Methodist-Episcopal Church
Also known as: Metropolitan Community Church of the Blue Ridge; DHR File No. 128-6271
Why it's listed
Rising at the corner of Jamison Avenue and Eighth Street in southeast Roanoke, this brick church was built between 1917 and 1921 to replace a predecessor destroyed by fire in January 1917. Herbert L. Cain, a Richmond architect known for church work, was the principal designer, with Homer M. Miller also credited. The building is in the Late Gothic Revival style, with steep gables, parapets, crenellated corner towers, buttresses, cast-concrete quatrefoils and a limestone foundation. The sanctuary seats about 600 and is lit by German-made stained glass installed in 1921. A school wing with classrooms and a fellowship hall adjoins it. The congregation grew rapidly alongside railroad and rayon plant employment, reaching a peak membership of 1,840 in the 1930s. Exterior changes have been minimal, and the sanctuary's original glass survives. It is listed for its architecture at the local level. Since 2003 it has housed the Metropolitan Community Church of the Blue Ridge.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church is one of Roanoke's most significant Protestant churches of the early 20th century. It combines Gothic Revival design elements, superior workmanship and durable materials, and it survives in excellent condition with few changes. It is a highly visible architectural landmark in the Belmont neighborhood.
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 11000551, listed August 18, 2011. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 806 Jamison Ave., Roanoke (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Roanoke (city and county) |
| Listed | August 18, 2011 |
| Reference number | 11000551 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1917-1921 |
| Architect / builder | Cain, Herbert L., principal architect; Miller, Homer M., architect; Clemmer, John L., building contractor |
| Architectural style | 20th Century Revivals: Late Gothic Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Now used by the Metropolitan Community Church of the Blue Ridge, which acquired it in 2003; the form lists current function as religious facility with work in progress, and describes plans for sensitive rehabilitation. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Within district | Belmont Historic District |
| Coordinates | 37.26912, -79.93016 (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 11000551.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16822987
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.