Van Wert First Presbyterian Church


  • Address: 110 W Crawford St
  • Vicinity: S Washington St
  • Type: Church
  • Travel Genus: Sight
  • Sight Category: Building

Van Wert First Presbyterian Church, organized on 10 June 1843, emerges during the earliest development of Van Wert County, beginning with twelve members who first gathered in the local courthouse when the village was still a scattering of log homes along the edge of the Great Black Swamp. Over the decades the congregation grew through circuit-rider pastors, shared pulpits, and determined lay leadership, building successive churches — from its first frame structure in 1853 to the present Gothic Revival building of 1923. The sanctuary is distinguished by its numerous stained-glass windows; all crafted by the Henry Keck Stained Glass Studio with the exception of the windows created by R Toland Wright Studio and Von Gerichten Studios, forming one of the region's most notable ecclesiastical stained-glass ensembles. - AsNotedIn


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Timeline

Y/M/D Person Association Description Composition Food Event
Y/M/D Person Association Description Composition Food Event
1843/06/10 Several families in Van Wert, Ohio, making up twelve people meet at the log cabin court house that day to establish a church in a village of forty log cabins and a single framed house.
1873/00/00 The First Presbyterian Church erects its first building at Washington and W Crawford, despite opposition among some members. The High Gothic Revival structure is later razed by 1922, though its bell survives as part of the church's landscape marquee sign.
1923/06/14 The cornerstone for First Presbyterian is laid by Rev Thomas Elcock's daughter. The building incorporates an air-conditioning system using cooling ventilation chambers between the walls and the foundation, a system that remains in use into the 1970s.
1925/00/00 Alois Lang Artist Alois Lang carves the 'Holy Table" and other pieces within the chancel at Van Wert First Presbyterian.
1925/10/11 The first set of stained glass windows are installed over the chancel prior to the church's dedication on 11 October 1925.
1926/00/00 Robert Toland Wright Artisan The R Toland Wright Studio creats the Saint Paul Window and the Chancel Windows at Van Wert First Presbyterian.
1930/00/00 Ludwig Von Gerichten Artisan The "Saint Stephen" window, along with the "Elisha" and "Joseph and Jacob" windows, are crafted by the Von Gerichten Studios of Columbus, Ohio.
1939/00/00 Henry Keck of Syracuse Artsian Henry Keck Stained Glass Studio create stained glass window, including those of Scott Chapel, for Van Wert First Presbyterian Church.
1943/00/00 Henry Keck of Syracuse Artsian Van Wert First Presbyterian retires its $300,000 debt and installs the sanctuary's stained-glass windows, the majority crafted by the Henry Keck Stained Glass Studio of Syracuse, New York.
1956/00/00 Henry Keck of Syracuse Artsian Van Wert First Presbyterian Church purchases their last stained glass window from Henry Keck Stained Glass Studio.

Places

PlaceAsNotedInType
PlaceAsNotedInType
Apostolic Christian Faith, Van Wert

Data »

Particulars for Van Wert First Presbyterian Church:
Area of Significance Architecture
Area of Significance Art
Sight Category Building
Building Type Church
Area of Design Decorative Arts
Material Indiana Limestone
Architectural Style Late Gothic Revival
Historic Use Religious Property
Building Attribute Stained Glass




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