Broad Street United Methodist Church, Columbus

Broad Street United Methodist Church is a historic religious building constructed in 1885. Designed by Joseph Warren Yost of the firm Yost & Packard, the church reflects the High Victorian Gothic style, a popular architectural approach for religious and civic buildings in the late 19th century. Its exterior originally featured green serpentine stone quarried in Pennsylvania, complemented by Columbus limestone and Berea sandstone.

Due to the serpentine’s porosity and long-term deterioration, the original stone was removed in 2006–2008 and replaced with cast stone designed to match the original color and texture. This restoration was carefully planned and executed with approval from the City’s Historic Resources Commission, preserving the structure’s historical integrity while addressing ongoing maintenance concerns.

The building’s design includes pointed arch bays, complex gables, dormers, and asymmetrical massing. Inside, the sanctuary contains Victorian woodwork, a sloped floor, and semi-circular pews. Art glass windows line three sides, with several notable panels relocated from Central Church in 1936, maintaining a visual and spiritual link to earlier Methodist congregations. The east wall features windows installed in 1908 by Von Gretchen Studios.