Cannon Smith, the son of George and Sophia Cannon Smith, was born in 1782.[citation needed] He settled in this location in 1829 after moving from his previous home in Delaware. In 1831, traveling Methodist circuit preachers established classes at Smith's home. This led to the organization of the first Methodist church in Milton Township in 1839.[2]
In 1840, the congregation hired James Taylor, a carpenter and joiner, to construct this church building at a cost of $1200.[citation needed] Cannon Smith donated the land, and contributed substantially toward the construction of the church. Because of these contributions, the church was named "Smith's Chapel".
The surrounding cemetery grounds were purchased in 1872.[2] In 1879, contractor W. S. Beswick was hired to remodel the church. The church was used regularly until 1967, and in 1972 Milton Township purchased the structure. In 2008, the chapel underwent substantial restoration.[citation needed] In 2013, the township owned the chapel, with the surrounding cemetery grounds owned by a non-profit organization, Smith Chapel Cemetery Inc.[3] The building was available for rental as a wedding and funeral chapel. In November 2018 the township sold the chapel and grounds to private citizens, who subsequently made restorations.[4]
Descriptionedit
Smith's Chapel is a single-story wood frame post-and-beam chapel with clapboard siding and a gable roof on a fieldstone foundation.[2] It measures 40 by 48 feet (12 m × 15 m), with a hallway 8 feet (2.4 m) wide across the front, and a 40-by-40-foot (12 m × 12 m) sanctuary.[citation needed] A gabled entrance is on one end with an oculus above. The sides contain round-arch windows with wooden hood molds. Attached to rear of the chapel is a gable-roof, clapboard-sided privy. Cemetery grounds are located near the chapel, containing primarily stone (and one zinc) monuments.
^ abcde. Michigan State Housing Development Authority: Historic Sites Online. Archived from the original on December 30, 2013.
^ ab. Milton Townshup. Archived from the original on December 31, 2013.
^Spalding, Mary Beth (October 3, 2019). "Historical Smith's Chapel near Niles enters new phase of life". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
External linksedit
courtesy of Milton Township
March 17, 2024
smith, chapel, this, article, about, historic, structure, michigan, historic, structure, hampshire, smith, chapel, durham, hampshire, also, known, smith, chapel, historic, chapel, located, 29858, redfield, road, milton, township, cass, county, michigan, near, . This article is about the historic structure in Michigan For the historic structure in New Hampshire see Smith Chapel Durham New Hampshire Smith s Chapel also known as Smith Chapel is a historic chapel located at 29858 Redfield Road 3 in Milton Township Cass County Michigan near Niles It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1979 2 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 1 The chapel is the oldest known church building in Cass County and probably the oldest in southwest Michigan Smith s ChapelU S National Register of Historic PlacesMichigan State Historic SiteShow map of MichiganShow map of the United StatesLocation29858 Redfield Rd Niles MichiganCoordinates41 46 7 N 86 8 44 W 41 76861 N 86 14556 W 41 76861 86 14556Area5 5 acres 2 2 ha Built1840Built byJames Taylor W S BeswickArchitectural styleLate VictorianNRHP reference No 87002224 1 Significant datesAdded to NRHPDecember 31 1987Designated MSHSApril 24 1979 2 Contents 1 History 2 Description 3 References 4 External linksHistory editCannon Smith the son of George and Sophia Cannon Smith was born in 1782 citation needed He settled in this location in 1829 after moving from his previous home in Delaware In 1831 traveling Methodist circuit preachers established classes at Smith s home This led to the organization of the first Methodist church in Milton Township in 1839 2 In 1840 the congregation hired James Taylor a carpenter and joiner to construct this church building at a cost of 1200 citation needed Cannon Smith donated the land and contributed substantially toward the construction of the church Because of these contributions the church was named Smith s Chapel The surrounding cemetery grounds were purchased in 1872 2 In 1879 contractor W S Beswick was hired to remodel the church The church was used regularly until 1967 and in 1972 Milton Township purchased the structure In 2008 the chapel underwent substantial restoration citation needed In 2013 the township owned the chapel with the surrounding cemetery grounds owned by a non profit organization Smith Chapel Cemetery Inc 3 The building was available for rental as a wedding and funeral chapel In November 2018 the township sold the chapel and grounds to private citizens who subsequently made restorations 4 Description editSmith s Chapel is a single story wood frame post and beam chapel with clapboard siding and a gable roof on a fieldstone foundation 2 It measures 40 by 48 feet 12 m 15 m with a hallway 8 feet 2 4 m wide across the front and a 40 by 40 foot 12 m 12 m sanctuary citation needed A gabled entrance is on one end with an oculus above The sides contain round arch windows with wooden hood molds Attached to rear of the chapel is a gable roof clapboard sided privy Cemetery grounds are located near the chapel containing primarily stone and one zinc monuments References edit a b National Register Information System National Register of Historic Places National Park Service July 9 2010 a b c d e Smith s Chapel and Cemetery Michigan State Housing Development Authority Historic Sites Online Archived from the original on December 30 2013 a b Smith Chapel Milton Townshup Archived from the original on December 31 2013 Spalding Mary Beth October 3 2019 Historical Smith s Chapel near Niles enters new phase of life South Bend Tribune Retrieved October 3 2019 External links editPhtos courtesy of Milton Township Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Smith 27s Chapel amp oldid 1212395586, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
