Lakeside in Ottawa County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Methodist Episcopal Chapel
(Heritage Hall)
Lakeside Heritage Trail
| | Lakeside Chautauqua 150 Years 1873 - 2023 | |
Photographed by Craig Doda, July 24, 2025
1. Methodist Episcopal Chapel Marker
This is one of the oldest buildings on the grounds and Lakeside's first church.
Erected 2023 by Lakeside Heritage Society. (Marker Number 13.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures.
Location. 41° 32.644′ N, 82° 45.054′ W. Marker is in Lakeside, Ohio, in Ottawa County. It is at the intersection of Maple Avenue and West 3rd Street, on the right when traveling south on Maple Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 236 Maple Ave, Lakeside Marblehead OH 43440, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on the Lake Erie Shore 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 Viceroyalty of New France, 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 First Methodist Church in Lakeside (1875) (here, next to this marker); Richards House (within shouting distance of this marker); Same Time Next Year at Richards House (within shouting distance of this marker); Keystone Guest House (within shouting distance of this marker); Administration Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Post Office (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lakeside Fire Department (about 300 feet away); The Carroll Building (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lakeside.
Also see . . .
1. Welcome to the Lakeside Heritage Trail
this page online
To enrich the quality of life for all people, to foster traditional Christian values, and to nurture relationships through opportunities for renewal and growth spiritually, intellectually, culturally and physically while preserving Lakesides heritage.
With the new year, we welcome Lakesides 150th Anniversary a time to honor the past, celebrate the present and look to the future. This exciting Sesquicentennial Celebration connects us to the mission through enriching religious life programs, educational lectures, cultural arts performances and recreational activities. (Submitted on August 11, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.)
2. 13. Methodist Episcopal Chapel. Then
In 1875, The Danbury Township Methodist Episcopal congregation chose to move from their previous location on Route 163 and build a chapel within the grounds of Lakeside. The congregation was motivated by a desire to become part of the growing Lakeside community. The Lakeside Company, which was promoting construction of cottages and businesses, offered the church an opportunity to grow their
Photographed by Craig Doda, July 24, 2025
2. Methodist Episcopal Chapel Marker
With more people choosing to make Lakeside a permanent year-round residence, the congregation quickly outgrew the small building. A 12 extension was added circa 1892 on the west end of the chapel. The Methodist congregation continued to grow beyond what the Lakeside Chapel could accommodate, and the decision was made to purchase the Good Templars building at the corner of Central Ave. and 5th St. (where the Lakeside United Methodist Church stands today).
The Lakeside Chapel then was transformed into the Ladies Aid Society Hall (L.A.S. Hall) in 1900, where it was home to church dinners, Sunday School classes, clubs and other programs. The chapel was sold to the Lakeside Association in 1952 and renamed Fellowship Hall, a place for mixed-use activities throughout Lakesides summer season.
By 1968, the 93-year-old building had deteriorated significantly. Spurred by the possibility of the chapels razing, a group of community members formed the Lakeside Heritage Club to purchase the historic building from the Lakeside Association with the understanding that it would come a museum.
Now
The buildings current bell tower was installed in 2012, as a replica of the original bell tower that was a part of the old chapel from 1875 to 1900. This replaced another designed-from-scratch tower installed in 1969 by the Lakeside Heritage Club. Photographs of the original chapel were used to construct a bell tower more accurate to the time period of its original construction.
The Lakeside Chapel continues to be operated by the Lakeside Heritage Society, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to preserve, promote and advance the history of Lakeside, the Marblehead Peninsula and the Chautauqua Movement in America. The building is home to the Heritage Hall Museum, where visitors can enjoy a variety of local history exhibits and treasure hunts. (Submitted on August 11, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 57 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 11, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
