Westerville in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

United Brethren Church

Church of the Master United Methodist

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 25, 2024

1. United Brethren Church / Church of the Master United Methodist Marker

Inscription.
Founded in 1851, the United Brethren Church first held services in buildings on the Otterbein University campus. Early on, it was listed in U.S. Denomination records as “Otterbein Station.”

In 1890, the ladies of the church organized the Society of Church Work whose main goal was property acquisition. Through their persistent efforts, funds were raised to acquire a parsonage, purchase a lot for future expansion, and finally construct the church edifice which stands here today. Ella Medora “Dora” Sanders, president of the Society, joined Reverend Elmer Barter and trustee president John Everal in turning the first shovels of ground in March 1914 to begin construction.

The house and barn of Reverend William and Ann Hanby originally was located on this site and was part of the Underground Railroad movement. It was purchased and moved to a lot on West House Street by Squire Prince who was formerly enslaved. Today, Hanby House is an Underground Railroad historic landmark relocated to West Main Street.

Erected by Uptown Westerville Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.

Location. 40° 7.563′ N, 82°

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56.132′ W. Marker is in Westerville, Ohio, in Franklin County. It is at the intersection of North Grove Street and West Main Street, on the left when traveling north on North Grove Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 118 W Main St, Westerville OH 43081, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Scioto Valley

and in the Columbus Metropolitan Area.

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 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: Otterbein College (within shouting distance of this marker); Reverend Bishop William Hanby / Benjamin Hanby, Class of 1858 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Towers Hall (about 300 feet away); Civil War (about 300 feet away); The Home of Benjamin R. Hanby (about 500 feet away); Old Westerville Society (about 600 feet away); Hanby House (about 600 feet away); Darling Nelly Gray (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Westerville.

Another marker is no longer nearby. In Memory of Benjamin R. Hanby (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).