Old Plover Methodist Church - Plover, WI
N 44° 27.412 W 089° 32.461
16T E 297844 N 4925758
This building, the oldest standing church in the county, was built about 1857 by the Presbyterian Congregation. Some 9 years later, 1866, the building was sold to the Methodist Congregation. It is located in the Plover Heritage Park.
Waymark Code: WM29NE
Location: Wisconsin, United States
Date Posted: 09/28/2007
Views: 24
From the Plover Heritage web site:
This building, the oldest standing church in the county, was built
about 1857 by the Presbyterian Congregation. Some 9 years later,
1866, the building was sold to the Methodist Congregation. This
group used the structure until 1963 when they built a new church.
For the next 16 years the structure underwent at least two
"guttings" in an effort to convert it to other uses. These did not
work and the building was simply allowed to sit. The Society
obtained the building in 1978 and began the long process of
bringing it back from the verge of collapse. The exterior of the
church is Greek Revival architecture and is built in the style of
barns of the times in order to obtain the large interior needed for
a church. The society has left all of this in tact in its efforts
to preserve this building. The society was also able to get the
building listed on the National Register of Historic buildings. The
steeple blew off in two sections over the years and the society
does have plans to restore that portion of the building in the
future. The Church's basic interior features have been maintained
as far as possible after the early gutting. Second floor galleries
have been added to increase the display area. The building is now
being used by the historical society as its main, annual display
area.
Street address: Madison Ave Plover, WI USA 54467
County / Borough / Parish: Portage
Year listed: 1980
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture/Engineering: Style: Greek Revival
Periods of significance: 1850-1874, 1875-1899
Historic function: Religion: Religious Structure
Current function: Education: Museum
Privately owned?: yes
Season start / Season finish: From: 06/01/2008 To: 09/04/2008
Hours of operation: From: 1:00 PM To: 5:00 PM
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.