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Religion
To learn more about religion as
a theme in the architectural development of Morgan County, click
here.
Martinsville's five earliest churches,
depicted here both as they appeared in an 1895 souvenir publication and
today, were erected by the founding congregations: Baptist, Catholic,
Christian, Methodist, and Presbyterian.
In 1881, the Baptists purchased the
original Greek Revival style church built about 1850 by the Presbyterians at
the corner of Jackson and Jefferson Streets. This building was replaced by a
larger, Gothic Revival church in 1901. By 1963, the First Baptist congregation had
swelled and a new church, which is still the home of the congregation, was
built on East Columbus Street. The Gothic Revival church was torn down in December
1963 to make way for the
Reporter office and parking lot.
Baptist Church (1901; no
longer exists), South Jefferson Street
Baptist Church, East
Columbus Street
After abandoning their original church to
the Baptists in 1881, the Presbyterians moved to their new
Gothic Revival
house of
worship at the corner of Washington and Sycamore Streets. It, too, is still
in use.
Presbyterian Church, East
Washington Street
A small congregation in 1891, the
Catholics nevertheless were able to erect a fine
Gothic Revival church at the
corner of Pike and Wayne Streets. This building replaced a c.1848 log
church named for St. Columban built near the original cemetery in southern
Washington Township. The city church was sold to the Lutherans when the new
St. Martin of Tours church was built on East Harrison Street in 1962. The
building is now home to the Seventh Day Adventists.
St. Martin of Tours
Catholic Church, Wayne and Pike Street
The Methodist congregation dates to
1827, when its approximately 20 families were served by circuit riders. In
the earliest years the congregation met in various public buildings,
including the courthouse, as well as in the homes of its members. In 1848,
the first frame church was completed at the corner of Sycamore and
Washington Streets. From 1872-1875, the congregation worshiped in the first
church at Pike and Sycamore Streets, built for a sum of $16,000. The current
Methodist church was built in 1951.
Methodist Church, Sycamore
and Pike Street
The Christian church was erected in
1891, when the congregation, including some of the wealthiest people in the
city, numbered some 400 members. In 1898, the new
Gothic Revival
style Christian
church was considered "the most beautiful church structure" in
Martinsville. In 1895 or 1896, a Bennett pipe organ was installed, and in
1927, a classroom annex was built on the north side of the church. The
sanctuary was restored in preparation for the church's 100th anniversary
celebration in 1991.
Christian Church, South
Main Street
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