OLDEST - Brick Church N. of Missouri River - St. Charles, MO
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 38° 46.607 W 090° 29.029
15S E 718578 N 4295013
Today a law office, but was Methodist Church and School...
Waymark Code: WM12AW0
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 04/16/2020
Views: 3
County of building: St. Charles County
Location of building: W. side of Main St., between Perry St. & Pike St., St. Charles
Built: 1831
Built By: George Collier
Marker Erected by: First United Methodist Church
Date Marker Erected: 1996
Marker Text:
HISTORICAL MARKER
St. Chalres,
Missouri
[Methodist Logo]
FIRST METHODIST CHURCH
Oldest existing brick church north of the
Missouri River. Built on hand-made bricks
with walls 18 inches thick
Records establish that Mrs. Catherine Collier built this church in 1831. It was used by her Methodist Episcopal Congregation (established 1821) until 1855 when a larger structure was necessary. Concerned about the education of protestant children, white and black, Mrs. Collier also used the building for a school.
Placed by First United Methodist Church, St. Charles, 1996
"Immediately prior to Newbill's acquisition, George Collier, a
merchant from St. Louis, purchased the site and an adjoining lot,
which he subsequently transferred to his mother to protect "the ground
upon which she caused a brick church to be erected." (St. Charles
County Deed Book "I-J", p. 23. St. Louis, Missouri Gazette. August
28, 1818, June 12, 1818). Collier's Church was probably the
Methodist-Episcopal Church which has been recently restored on the
original site north of the Newbill-McElhiney House. The abstract
indicated the first brick church was undoubtedly constructed during
the years of Collier's ownership (1821-1831). (St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
August 8, 1971. Edna McElhiney Olson, Historical St. Charles. 1967).
"Franklin S. Newbill acquired his lot at the northwest corner of Main
and Perry Streets at a sheriff's auction in June 1836, to settle a
judgement against a purchaser of Collier's property. (St. Charles
County Deed Book "D", p. 24)." ~ NRHP Nomination Form for Newbill-McElinney House