INDIANPOLIS — Roberts Park United Methodist Church traces its roots back to Indianapolis’ founding – 1821 – when the Methodist Society was first organized in Isaac Watson’s small log cabin home. This early congregation worshiped in log cabins homes and a log cabin structure until 1829, when the congregation moved into a new brick church – Wesley Chapel – on the southwest corner of Indianapolis’ Monument Circle. The congregation later divided into an eastern and western charge with Meridian Street as the dividing line, and the eastern charge constructed a brick church in 1846 at Pennsylvania and Market Street, adopting the name “Roberts Chapel”, after Bishop Robert R. Roberts, the first Methodist Bishop to reside in Indiana.
To meet the needs of the growing Roberts Chapel congregation, construction on what we now call Roberts Park began in 1869. This new church was named “Roberts Park Church” because of the park-like setting of the new site. Walnut trees on the site were used for the elaborate woodwork inside. The dedication ceremony on August 27, 1876 was led by Bishop Matthew Simpson, who had dedicated Roberts Chapel in 1846 and conducted funeral services for Abraham Lincoln in 1865.
To celebrate the 200th year of Roberts Park United Methodist Church’s founding, the church is offering free tours of this national historic landmark on Saturday, July 31, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Associate Pastor Carmen Daugherty is leading the free tours along with church volunteers. Roberts Park United Methodist Church is located at 401 N. Delaware St.
You must register for the tours online at www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4DAAAA2FA1F8C25-historical
