Mount Vernon United Methodist Church - Mount Vernon, Iowa
Posted by: 
iconions
N 41° 55.405 W 091° 25.166
15T E 631057 N 4642481
This two-story, limestone building is located at 304 1st Street West in Mount Vernon, Iowa.
Waymark Code: WM12K2C
Location: Iowa, United States
Date Posted: 06/07/2020
Views: 1
This very large, historic church sits as a buffer between the downtown area of Mount Vernon and the Cornell College area. 1st Street is almost park like and this church, along with the Victorian homes just seem to fit the area. This building is Gothic Revival with its use of arched windows, steep pitched roof, and large bell tower.
Cornerstone is located on the northeast corner of the building.
Left side reads:
"First Methodist Episcopal Church
John R. Gier
Contractor"
Right Side reads:
"1899"
Architect/Builder - George Cramer/John R. Gier
Date(S) - 1900
DESCRIPTION
Rectangular plan. Two stories plus basement except in nave (one story).
Four story square tower NE corner; two story square tower NW corner. Towers do not project. Intersecting gables with hip roof on towers. Small gable roof projection on east side near south end. Walls are of undressed stone (limestone) Banding of vertical undressed stone on north facade below large window, and at the frieze line of the towers and main structure. The corners of the towers are buttressed. Gothic arched stained glass windows at gable ends (N., E., & W.,) arches over openings to upper portion of bell tower. Openings all sided of tower. All other windows have simple stone lintels except tower windows which are irregularly grouped and more vertical that other windows with semi-circular arches. Ornament: cross atop bell tower.
Key structure in district
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
Church is outgrowth of work of early Methodist circuit riders
Congregation and pastor (George Bowman) provided the leadership for founding of Cornell College.
-National Registry Entry
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