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Hamlin Church Nominated For Natl Recognition

By Brian Hagen

08/15/2012

(KNZA)--A Brown County based church is now in the running for national recognition, nominated for possible inclusion for the National Register of Historic Places in Washington, D.C.

The Bethany Brethren Church, located at 121 1st Street in Hamlin, was selected as one of seventeen sites in Kansas to be considered for the honor.

The nominations were made during the regular quarterly meeting at the Kansas Historical Society in Topeka on Saturday.

According to the nomination document submitted by the State Historical Society, the Church, located around 9 miles northwest of Hiawatha, was chosen for its local

significance based on architecture. Built around 1895, the church reflects a vernacular interpretation of the Gothic Revival style executed in wood materials, commonly known as Carpenter Gothic. Exterior wood shingles in the gable are reflective of the Queen Anne style that was popular in the late 19th century.

The Brethren denomination utilized the church until 1948, and then, in 1951, sold the property to the local Baptist congregation, which still owns and occupies the building, now known as the Hamlin Baptist Church.

It is the only remaining church building in the small town of Hamlin, population less than 500, which once had three churches.

Rosemary Ward, a church member for 6 decades, has been active in seeing the structure gain the historic recognition(Play Audio)

Ward was, at one time, concerned that the church would be torn down and replaced with a monument. She says that would be a tragedy, as the actual church building provides an artistic enhancement to the Hamlin landscape(Play Audio)

The original church building, listed in excellent condition, rests on a stone foundation, has a shingled roof with all of the original windows intact. An addition to the building, built in 1951, rests on a concrete foundation and has a metal roof.

With the site submitted to the National Register of Historic Places, the nation's official list of historically significant properties, it's now a matter of wait and see as to whether the church, already listed on the Kansas Registry of Historic Places, will make the final cut.