The Most Charming Little Chapel In Cincinnati Is Straight Out Of A Storybook
By Andrea Limke|Published March 28, 2018
×
Andrea Limke
Author
A Cincinnati native who has lived in Kentucky for over 10 years, Andrea's heart belongs both in the Queen City and the Bluegrass State. After earning an education degree and working in that field for a number of years, Andrea began to pursue her passion for writing over 6 years ago. Since then she has written for a number of print and online publications, as well as published a children's book.
With a history like Cincinnati’s, it’s not surprising that our city is filled with historic churches that are still in use today. We shared several of our favorites here, but now we want to introduce you to the most charming little chapel in Cincinnati. Armstrong Chapel, known as the “Old Chapel” as a part of this United Methodist Church, was built in 1831, and is truly straight out of a storybook.
The story of the historic Armstrong Chapel is that of Nathaniel Armstrong and his family. The Armstrongs moved from Virginia to the Cincinnati area in 1800, settling between Milford and Newtown and creating a prominent business of grist and lumber mills.
The Armstrong family was also active in the Methodist Church, which for years met in the homes of its parishioners. In 1830, Nathaniel Armstrong gave a part of his land to the Methodist Church in order to build a chapel where the community could gather. Armstrong Chapel was completed the following year in 1831 and has remained an active place for worship ever since.
Advertisement
The property in Indian Hill also includes a cemetery that was founded a few years before the chapel. Its first burial was actually Armstrong's wife Hannah, who died before the church was completed.
Not much has changed on the exterior or interior of the chapel since the 1800s. A tower was added in 1890 and only minor repairs have been necessary. The chapel and cemetery were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, thanks to their beautifully preserved history and importance in the past of this area of Cincinnati.
Services are still held inside the historic chapel, and it's just as enchanting as you would imagine.
The chapel is also a popular spot for weddings, as the interior is just as breathtaking as the exterior. And interestingly enough, early records of the church include attendance records of Sunday School and some of the names on the list are the relatives of families that continue to live in Indian Hill today. The photo above also shows the church's other lovely sanctuary, which is also a beautiful space to see when visiting this historic church.
Armstrong Chapel United Methodist Church had to expand in 2010, thanks to its growing size, but the historic chapel remains a beloved spot today.
If you love discovering hidden gems from Cincinnati's past, then definitely pay a visit to Armstrong Chapel — the most charming little church that is straight out of a storybook.
The Old Chapel at Armstrong Chapel United Methodist Church is a picturesque piece of Cincinnati history that will hopefully be maintained for years to come. Were you aware of this charming chapel in Cincinnati? Share your experience and memories with us in the comments!
For more information on Armstrong Chapel, visit the church’s website here.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
