Description

The architecture lining Broad Street up to City Hall is a little overwhelming puzzle of Gothic, French Renaissance Revival, and Norman architectures. The Arch Street United Methodist Church is located on the edge of this puzzle representing the Gothic character to the street with its massive north spire, pitched roof, and narrow Gothic windows, the church is visually as impressive as the neighboring Masonic Grand Lodge and City Hall buildings. The church was the first of the three buildings to lay claim to Broad Street, being built in two stages-- the Chapel in 1865 and the Sanctuary in 1870. As the first large project of his career, architect Addison Hutton designed the building with its white Italianate marble facade. At the time of its completion, the building was only the second Gothic style Methodist Church built to date. On of the prominent features inside the church is the enormous Standbridge, the last of its namesake's creations. While being architecturally impressive, the Arch Street United Methodist Church also has a prominent legacy involved with helping the community through a series of outreach programs and ministries.