Property Record
5420 CTH J
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | M.E. Church |
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| Other Name: | Shopiere United Methodist Church |
| Contributing: | |
| Reference Number: | 85443 |
| Location (Address): | 5420 CTH J |
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| County: | Rock |
| City: | |
| Township/Village: | Turtle |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | 1 |
| Range: | 13 |
| Direction: | E |
| Section: | 3 |
| Quarter Section: | |
| Quarter/Quarter Section: |
| Year Built: | 1857 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 2004 |
| Historic Use: | church |
| Architectural Style: | Greek Revival |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Clapboard |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| National Register Listing Date: | |
| State Register Listing Date: |
| Additional Information: | The Methodist Church is a one-story structure with a low-pitched gable roof that is accented by a full pediment on the north and south elevations. Under the eaves is a wide wooden frieze and the corners of the building feature pilasters. The church sits on a large sloping lot. The foundation is raised at the north elevation and is constructed of rough-finished, regularly coursed limestone. On the north elevation, the main entrance into the building sits in the foundation and consists of two modern doors decorated with sidelights on panels and a divided light transom. Sash windows punctuate the east and west elevations where the foundation is exposed. The walls are clad with clapboards and punctuated with unusual window openings. The window openings of the building are tall and the circa 1936 photograph shows that the openings of the main or north elevation were enclosed, at that time, with two-over-two light sashes sitting in arched openings and decorated with segmental wooden arches. Today, these openings are filled with horizontally divided windows made up of four mottled colored glass panes. Part of the arched openings have been enclosed, but the segmental arches remain. The symmetrically etrically placed east and west elevation openings were decorated with transoms th at are still extant. They were enclosed in the circa 1936 photograph with paired single-light sashes. Today, these openings are filled with individual sashes. The current steeple of the church has lost its historic belfry. The base of the steeple is extant and is clad with wood shingles and topped with a pent roof and simple cross. Shopiere's Methodist Church was founded in 1855 and in 1857, the congregation began building this church. Unlike many historic churches of this type, the raised foundation allowed for a considerable hall, with the sanctuary above. The belfry that is no longer extant came from the original Congregational Church in Shopiere. (McLenegan, p. 69) Previously surveyed in 1977. |
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| Bibliographic References: | McLenegan, Annie S. Centennial History of the Town of Turtle, Rock County, Wisconsin, 1836-1936. Pamphlet on file in the Hedberg Library, Janesville, Wisconsin. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |