Roberts Park Methodist Episcopal Church

rdf:langString Roberts Park Methodist Episcopal Church

rdf:langString Roberts Park United Methodist Church

rdf:langString Roberts Park United Methodist Church

rdf:langString USA Indianapolis central#USA Indianapolis#Indiana#USA

rdf:langString Roberts Park Methodist Episcopal Church, whose present-day name is Roberts Park United Methodist Church, was dedicated on August 27, 1876, making it the oldest church remaining in downtown Indianapolis. Diedrich A. Bohlen, a German-born architect who immigrated to Indianapolis in the 1850s, designed this early example of Romanesque Revival architecture. The church is considered one of Bohlen's major works. Constructed of Indiana limestone at Delaware and Vermont Streets, it has a rectangular plan and includes a bell tower on the southwest corner. The church is known for its interior woodwork, especially a pair of black-walnut staircases leading to galleries (balconies) surrounding the interior of three sides of its large sanctuary. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 19, 1982. It is home to one of several Homeless Jesus statues around the world, this one located behind the church on Alabama Street. The Roberts Park Methodist church originates from the first Methodist congregation organized in Indianapolis in 1822. After the congregation divided into two groups in 1842, one group established Roberts Chapel at Market and Pennsylvania Streets in 1843. Following the American Civil War, the congregation decided to build a new church at its present-day site at Delaware and Vermont Streets. The church is named in honor of Methodist bishop Robert R. Roberts and its park-like location. Construction on the new building began in 1869, but due to financial limitations, it was not completely finished until 1876.