Property Record
229 N HIGH ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | First Methodist Church |
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| Other Name: | Courtland Methodist Church |
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| Reference Number: | 122196 |
| Location (Address): | 229 N HIGH ST |
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| County: | Columbia |
| City: | Randolph |
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| Year Built: | 1898 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 2001 |
| Historic Use: | church |
| Architectural Style: | Early Gothic Revival |
| Structural System: | Balloon Frame |
| Wall Material: | Clapboard |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | November 2001-The Courtland Methodist Church is a Neo-Gothic Revival building and was erected as the First Methodist Episcopal Church in 1898 (cornerstone). It is a frame structure, front-gabled in form, and rests on a concrete block foundation. The church is finished with clapboards and trimmed with plain corner boards. Simple, compound moldings appear at the cornice. The east-facing (front) façade exhibits two, gothic-arched windows with leaded-glass and tracery. Above, a large rose window with tracery appears. Wood shingles enliven the peak of the gable end. A front-gabled, enclosed entry porch is set at the southeast corner of the front-facing façade. The entry porch has been altered with the installation of a pair of modern wood-and-glass doors, flanked by sidelights and surmounted by a large and out-of-scale transom. A semi-circular canopy on slender posts shelters the entrance. Low walls of random ashlar have been erected on three sides of the entry porch, creating a narrow patio. These alterations date from 1963-64. Three, gothic-arched windows with leaded glass and tracery can be seen on the side-facing facades, but most of the windows on the side and rear facades are small, single-pane casements of recent vintage. Statement of Significance: The first Methodist services were held in the Randolph area in 1846. A church was erected in 1859; it was razed in 1898 and some of the materials were used in the construction of the existing church. The Methodists were served by a circuit-riding minister for many years. In 1963-64, the front entrance was redesigned and a large addition was attached to the rear of the building. The name was changed to the Courtland Methodist Church after 1970. |
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| Bibliographic References: |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |