Located near the Medomak River, the Old German Church is a unique early church building with intact interior woodwork and graining. The two-story frame building sits on stone underpinnings and is sheathed in clapboard siding. It has one entry which is centered on the southern end. Inside, the lower floor has box pews and a raised polygonal pulpit with a sounding board above. The second-story gallery, which also contains box pews, is supported by pillars and wraps around the interior on three sides. German immigrants began settling the area during the 1750s. The building began as an austere frame house that was owned by thirty-two German Lutherans. It was moved to its current location in 1794 and Reverend Friedrich Augustus Rodolphus Benedictus Ritz relocated from Germany to become the first ordained minister for the church. In wanting to maintain their heritage, the congregation insisted that services be conducted in their native tongue. This ultimately led to the decline of the church. The third generation of settlers only spoke English and services became unintelligible. Presently, the church and cemetery are maintained by the German Lutheran Society and the church serves as a museum.
Year Listed: 1970
For more information: https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/AssetDetail/23756890-1415-422b-9bf3-89464e8e1700