The Oldest Church In Ohio Dates Back To The 1800s And You Need To See It
By April Dray|Published December 29, 2018
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April Dray
Author
April is the Ohio staff writer for Only in Your State. She is an Ohio native with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. With more than 10 years of writing experience and a background in news reporting for Ohio newspapers, she's published pieces in multiple print and online publications. When she's not on deadline or chasing after her toddler, she's hunting for hidden gems in Ohio or getting lost in a good book.
Do you know where the oldest church in Ohio is? While you might think it’s an ornate Catholic church, it’s actual a humble stone building hiding in a cemetery. The Old Wyandot Mission Church in Upper Sandusky is the country’s first officially recognized mission of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Today, it’s a historic landmark that houses artifacts from the early 1800s and still holds Sunday services during select times of the year. This is one stop every Ohio history buff needs to explore at least once.
The Old Wyandot Mission Church is both the oldest church in Ohio and the site of the Methodist's very first North American mission.
Originally built in 1824, this historic little church has quite the story behind it. It was initially built for the converted Wyandot Indians, before they were removed from Ohio in 1843.
Over the years, the church fell in disarray. It was fully restored in 1889 and has since been updated.
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Inside, you'll find several artifacts and documents on display. In 1960, the church was designated a national shrine by the United Methodist Church. It was also placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
Please note: Sunday services are held at 8 a.m. during the months of June, July and August. During the week, the church is open to the public from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. in the months of June, July and August. For more information, click here.
For a closer look inside this historical landmark, watch the short video below:
Did you know about this historic church? Have you ever been here before? Share your thoughts and experiences with us!
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