First German Methodist Church

Description:	Drawing of the First German Methodist church, by Juliet A. Peddle, Terre Haute artist and architect. Drawing of the First German Methodist church, by Juliet A. Peddle, Terre Haute artist and architect.The German Methodist church, which has since become the Calvary Methodist church, was originally located on the north side of Mulberry street between Fourth and Fifth streets.This first church building is still standing at the above location, though altered to be used as a residence now, and as I have been unable to find a picture of it in its original form, I have presented it as it appears today with a thumbnail sketch to suggest the original form as remembered by older members of the church.The building was originally built for the use of the Second Presbyterian Church, which was organized in 1846 and was referred to in the story about the Baldwin Presbyterian church. It was constructed shortly after the above date and later sold to the German Methodists. The German Methodist church had been organized in the fall of 1850 when Bishop James sent Rev. Conrad Muth out to preach in the Wabash valley. Eight preparatory members were taken into the church on Nov, 24, 1850. In February, 1851, the church was properly organized and the building built by the Presbyterians was purchased for their use. A parsonage was added in 1856. There is mention made in the records that in 1858 the circuit included Terre Haute, Poland and Greencastle. In this year also they changed from oil lamps to petroleum lamps to light the church. They changed the illumination of the church again in 1863 when gas was introduced.By 1879 the church was feeling the need for larger quarters and a lot was purchased at the southwest corner of Fifth and Mulberry streets on which to erect a new building. It was 1881 before this was actually started, but by vigorously pursuing the matter the new parsonage was ready for occupancy and the Sunday school room available for church services Sept. 4, 1882. The church proper was not dedicated until April, 1883. The congregation has continued to occupy this second church ever since, but some time after 1900, I believe, the name was changed to the Calvary Methodist church by which it is known today.The classical lines of this early church are consistent with what one would expect of a church constructed before 1850 when the Greek revival was the predominating form. The original church is said to have had a simple steeple and a single entrance with no other openings in the front. As is apparent, alterations have been made in the building, but even as it stands it gives quite an idea of the original church and is the only one of the churches built before 1850 which survives today.
Origin:	01/01/2005
Contributor(s):	Peddle, Juliet, 1899-1979
Source:	http://indianamemory.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/rose/id/811
Collection:	Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Logan Library
Rights:	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/
Copyright:	Copyright Undetermined
Subjects:	Architectural drawings Architecture Churches Methodist churches Houses Architecture Religion Domestic Life

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