Mount Vernon United Methodist Church - Mount Vernon, Iowa - This Old Church on Waymarking.com

My Commentary:
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

Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 01/01/1899 Age of Church building determined by?: Cornerstone or plaque If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: Methodist If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Sunday Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: 9:30 AM Street address of Church: 304 First Street SW Mount Vernon, IA USA 52314 Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link] Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link] If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
1) A photo of the church is required for visits to a waymark.

2) Please share some comments about your visit.

3) Additional photos are encouraged. If you can have information in addition to that already provided about this church, please share it with us.

Recent Visits/Logs:

There are no logs for this waymark yet.