Franklin First United Methodist Church
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The Franklin First United Methodist Church is a historic church in downtown Franklin, Ohio, USA. A Methodist affiliated church since its founding, it is the oldest church in the city and one of the oldest churches in Warren County. The church is a member congregation of the United Methodist Church.
In 1798, the Methodist Episcopal bishop Francis Asbury sent John Kobler across the Ohio River and into the Northwest Territory "to form a new circuit and to plant the first principles of the Gospel" in the frontier region of the Great Miami River. He as well as other circuit riders made frequent stops in Franklin and the town became a regular stop for itinerant ministers until 1853, when a permanent pastor was assigned to the town.[1]
In 1825, a permanent Methodist Episcopal Society was formed in the town, with the church building being constructed in 1832. A new brick building was constructed in 1836 at the site of the present church building, but was torn down thirteen years later.
In early 1860, prominent members of the church raised a sum of $12,000 to construct a permanent church. The new church was dedicated on September 16 that year and construction was finished in 1861. The new building is "in Gothic style; having buttresses exteriorly and having a steeple which rises 120 feet from the ground". The original sanctuary and bell tower remains to this day.[2]