The former Washington Street United Methodist Church is to be the venue for a free jazz concert by David Wells at 7 p.m. Dec. 1. The doors are to open at 6 p.m. for viewing work by local artisans. The church also is a stop on the Tiffin Historic Trust house tour 1-5 p.m. Sunday.
When the Washington Street congregation merged with Ebenezer United Methodist Church to form Faith UMC, the Washington Street church was left vacant. Now, it is being considered as a community arts center.
Built in 1924, the church has a spacious sanctuary. It has balconies on both sides and a curtain at the back that could be opened, with room for overflow seating. The Sunday school rooms could be opened and people could sit in them and still participate in worship. Seating once was reported as 1,231 people. The estimated cost of construction was $90,000-$100,000.
Interesting tidbits:
The men of the congregation dug the basement by hand.
Glass in the church was furnished by the Von Gerichten Art Glass Co. of Columbus.
Plumbing, heating and ventilation were installed by Martin Brothers Plumbers of Tiffin.
Blue limestone was furnished by The Wagner Stone Quarries of Sandusky.
Kitchen furnishings were purchased from the L.D. Creeger Hardware Store, Tiffin, and placed in the church at cost to him.
Samuel Fritz, 59, died while plastering the ceiling. The scaffolding failed and he fell 8 feet, striking his head and dying almost immediately. The window nearest the spot at which he fell has been designated as a memorial to him.
The woodwork and floor in the sanctuary are made of oak.
The church's stained glass window, facing Washington Street, depicts angels announcing the birth of Christ. Inscribed beneath the window are the words: "O bring You good tidings of great joy. Glory to God in the Highest and on Earth peace, goodwill toward men." The window was a gift to the church by L.D. Creeger.
