Grand Rapids in Wood County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

First Presbyterian Church

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 17, 2018

1. First Presbyterian Church Marker

Inscription. On this site in 1848, the Presbyterians and Methodists entered into a situation unique to Gilead, as Grand Rapids was then known, by jointly constructing a frame church for worship James Purdy, grantor, sold the lot for five dollars for religious purposes thereby authorizing either denomination to sell to the other. Proceeds were to be used to build another church. This ecumenical arrangement continued until 1880 when the Methodists sold their Interest in the building to the Presbyterians in order to build a new church. The Presbyterians, whore charter included eleven members when they first organized at Guyer's schoolhouse on September 18, 1848, built a new church here in 1928. One addition to the current building was made in 1961.

Erected 1996 by The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 9-87.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 18, 1648.

Location. 41° 24.663′ N, 83° 52.093′ W. Marker is in Grand Rapids, Ohio, in Wood County. It is at the intersection of West 2nd Street (County Road 65) and Beaver Street, on the right when traveling

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east on West 2nd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 24241 W 2nd St, Grand Rapids OH 43522, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Black Swamp,

in the Till Plains,

and in the Toledo Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Benjamin F. Kerr House (within shouting distance of this marker); Thurston Building (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Grand Rapids Town Hall (about 600 feet away); Grand Rapids Flood Record (about 700 feet away); A Lasting Legacy (about 700 feet away); M. J. Wright Pavillion (approx. 0.2 miles away); In Memory Of Julie Pontasch (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sugar Maple (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Rapids.

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 17, 2018

2. First Presbyterian Church Marker

Dedication plaque on the grounds of the church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 17, 2018

3. Dedication plaque on the grounds of the church

Credits. This page was last revised on March 29, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 28, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 293 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 28, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.