Upper Sandusky in Wyandot County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Wyandott Indian Mission
First Methodist Mission in America
United Methodist Church Registered Historic Landmark
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2008
1. Wyandott Indian Mission Marker
Inscription.
Wyandott Indian Mission. First Methodist Mission in America. Founded by John Stewart, a black man, in 1816, the Wyandott Indian Mission became the first officially recognized mission of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America three years later. A stone Mission Church was built on this spot in 1824, under the supervision of the Rev. James B. Finley. The Wyandott Indians worshipped here until 1843. The building fell in ruins in later years. It was restored in 1889 and designated a national historic shrine by the General Conference of The Methodist Church in 1960.
Founded by John Stewart, a black man, in 1816, the Wyandott Indian Mission became the first officially recognized mission of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America three years later. A stone Mission Church was built on this spot in 1824, under the supervision of the Rev. James B. Finley. The Wyandott Indians worshipped here until 1843. The building fell in ruins in later years. It was restored in 1889 and designated a national historic shrine by the General Conference of The Methodist Church in 1960.
Erected 1974 by The General Commission on Archives and History, The United Methodist Church.
Location. 40° 50.136′ N, 83° 16.722′ W. Marker is in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, in Wyandot County. It is at the intersection of East Church Street and North 4th Street, on the left when traveling east on East Church Street. To view this historic marker,
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when traveling on US 23, take the exit for state routes 53 and 67 and head south towards the village of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, for approximately 1.6 miles. Then look to turn left (east) on East Church Street. Upon turning onto East Church Street, head east for approximately 0.2 miles and the marker should be readily seen on the left (north) side of the street, the side of the street where the cemetery is located, about 0.2 miles east of state routes 53 and 67. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 East Church Street, Upper Sandusky OH 43351, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Till Plains. It is also in the American Midwest 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 Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
View of historical marker in the foreground with Ohio Historical Marker for the "Departing Wyandot Indians" in the right background and the Missionary Church in the distant left background.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Departure of the Wyandot Indians (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, August 6, 2008
3. Wyandott Indian Mission
View of the Wyandott Indian Mission.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,605 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on January 17, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.
