Property Record
328 West Main Street
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH |
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| Other Name: | PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH |
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| Reference Number: | 66633 |
| Location (Address): | 328 West Main Street |
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| County: | Lafayette |
| City: | Benton |
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| Year Built: | 1864 |
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| Additions: | 1865 |
| Survey Date: | 1976 |
| Historic Use: | church |
| Architectural Style: | Front Gabled |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
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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: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. A brick, symmetrically designed church structure, 36 ft. x 36 ft. that has a sloping roof with an entrance and bell tower placed in the center of the front street facing gable facade. The square tower has a wooden steeple and a cupola that is penetrated by eight round arched fenestrations with a balustraded railing on the interior at the base of the arched openings. Stained glass round arched window with a stone sill accent the facades. A round window penetrates the front facade of the tower element. The structure was built at a cost of $5,000 with brick from Galena. A frame extension has been added to the East and large plate glass doors have altered the front entrance. Significant as an example of early vernacular brick, church architecture in Southwest Wisconsin, this church structure also has architectural significance as the only brick church in Benton. In addition, it has been a visual landmark for the village of Benton for well over a 100 years. The Primitive Methodist Church is significant for its association with the religious development of Benton. The Primitive Methodist sect was formed in England during the early 1800s. Primitive Methodism was brought to the lead region by English settlers in the 1840s. Several churches organized in the lead region formed the western conference of the American Primitive Methodist Church. Primitive Methodism differs from the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Primitive Methodist believe in lay leadership. The organization of the Church government is based on principals of republicanism. Different names are given to church offices-leaders and stewards instead of deacons and elders. The highest ecclesiastical court is called a conference instead of a general assembly. Power is delegated to lay leaders instead of ecclesiastical leaders. The Benton Primitive Methodist Church was organized in 1847. The first meetings were held in the schoolhouse until 1850. In that year a frame church was built on the site of the present church. Dennis Murphy donated the land to the church. In 1863, the frame church was set on fire and burned to the ground. Legend has it, that there was a difference in opinion over the slavery issue. The same year (1863), the present church was built. The church has remained one of the three religious institutions in Benton. The Primitive Methodist Church which was begun by English settlers who came to the lead region in the 1840s has continued to be a dominant force in the religious life of the community. |
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| Bibliographic References: | (A) Tresch's Book, p. 285. (B) Lafayette Co. Fair Premium Book, 1886. (C) Butterfield, History of Lafayette County, 1881, p. 561. (D) Benton Primitive Methodist Church 1847-1947: Centennial Program. (E) Thomas Dawson, interview, Oct. 1982. (F) J.H. Acairley, A History of the Primitive Methodist Church in the U.S., 1909, p. 4-7. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |