Mars Hill (Iowa)

Mars Hill is a historic church building and cemetery located near Ottumwa, Iowa, United States. Barbara Clark donated the property to the Baptist Church and the church building was built between 1850 and 1857. The rectangular structure is composed of dovetail notched hewn logs, and it is capped with a gable roof. The front door is a copy of the original. It is thought that its name comes from its location, but that cannot be substantiated.[2] Local lore has it that the church building served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.[1]

Mars Hill
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Historic photo of the church
Location	Southeast of Ottumwa, Iowa
Coordinates	40°53′58″N 92°21′26″W
Area	1.5 acres (0.61 ha)
Built	1850-1857
Architectural style	Rustic
NRHP reference No.	74000814[1]
Added to NRHP	September 13, 1974

A fire set by an arsonist nearly destroyed the building in 2006.[3] After two years of fundraising and construction it was re-dedicated on June 8, 2008. Some of the original logs that were charred in the fire are still a part of the structure.[4] It is one of the largest log buildings and one of the oldest log churches still in use in Iowa.[1][2] A worship service is held in the now interdenominational church yearly in June.

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
2. Mrs. E.S. Hollenbeck. "NRHP Inventory-Nomination: Mars Hill". National Park Service. Retrieved 2019-04-03. with photos
3. Scott Niles (June 8, 2008). "A new start for Mars Hill Church". Ottumwa Courier. Ottumwa, Iowa. Retrieved 2012-04-30.
4. Mark Newman (May 20, 2008). "Mars Hill ready to reopen". Ottumwa Courier. Ottumwa, Iowa. Retrieved 2012-04-30.

Historic photo of the church interior.