| Additional Information: | This one story chruch, which is in good condition, is designed in the Greek Revival and Romanesque Revival styles. Its dates of construction range from 1865 to 1895 and 1950. [A]. The building features an irregular shaped plan configuration (with an addition), a granite stone and concrete block foundation and a brick and board exterior. Trim materials include brick, stone and wood. The multi-gabled roof and tower are covered with asphalt shingles.
The former church building, historically named 1st Baptist, currently serves as a senor citizens center. [B].
Architectural/Engineering Significance:
This structure contributes to the significance of the Nathan Strong Park Historic District under Criterion C as an example of a rear, brick, Greek Revival/Lombard Romanesque Revival pioneer era chruch. It is a little difficult to know what was the original design, but this appears to be essentially a front gabled Greek Revival style structure with plain brick pilaster strips articulating the elevations that at some point was given at an early date or originally always had a Lombard Romanesque style corner tower and front windows with arched openings. In spite of later alterations and additions this structure still retains its historic character.
Historical Background:
On April 1, 1849, the Cavanistic Baptist Society was organized as the Strongville Church . Initial meetings were held at the home of Nathan Strong until 1851, when the first building of the Baptist Congregation was opened. In 1865, the structure was sold to V. Stewart who moved it to another location and used it as a blakcsmith shop. That same year, the present structure was erected on the same site at a cost of $7,000. [1].
In 1895, a fire did extensive damage to the church and its furnishing, but it was repaired and enlarged. [1]. A second fire in 1948 left only the walls o the chruch standing. Once again the structure was rebuilt, but several changes were made. The steeple was changed and church bell was removed. New stained glass windows and pews were also installed. [6].
Around 1975 the Baptist Parishioners joined with the Union Church to form a new congregation, the Federated Chruch of Berlin. The structure now houses the Berlin Senior Citizens Center.
In 2001 the building was purchased by the Sirrell Family where a Christian Childcare Center was opened for business. In 2011, the family closed the daycare center, had the property reasoned to residential, and the church was converted to a house. In March 2023, the Kraft Family purchased the church house to live in and run a music lesson business out of the home. The house/church is now called “Kraft Manor”. |
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| Bibliographic References: | 1. "First Baptist Church, One Hundreth Anniversary," Barry Print Co., 1950, p. 6.
2. p. 5.
3. p. 7.
4. p. 8.
5. p. 11.
6. p. 12.
7. "The Chruch Bells of Berlin!", "Berlin Journal," 22 Dec. 1977, p. 14.
A. Dates of Construction source: Church History.
B. First Baptist Church Historic Name: 1979 Inventory Card. |
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