The Powers Church is a historic church in York Township,

Steuben County, Indiana Steuben County is a county in the northeast corner of the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census the county population was 34,185. The county seat (and only incorporated city) is Angola. Steuben County comprises the Angola, ...

, described as a "fine example of early northern Indiana Colonial Revival architecture". In 1983, it was added to the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...

, where it is listed as Free Church, a reference to the Church's

non-denominational A non-denominational person or organization is one that does not follow (or is not restricted to) any particular or specific religious denomination. Overview The term has been used in the context of various faiths including Jainism, Baháʼí Fait ...

nature. The church was built between 1875 and 1876 for $1827 on land donated by the Powers family, one of the earliest settlers in the area.Hulliberger, Melissa S. (2001) "Powers Church still standing the test of time", '' Steuben Herald-Republican'', Steuben Summer, July 7, 2001, p. 7. In the 1920s, a dwindling congregation brought an end to the regular services, although the church was still used for funerals and other events until the 1950s, when it was closed.Sauer, Lee (1993) "Life fills old church three times each summer", '' Evening Star'', June 28, 1993, p. A2. The building sat unused until 1976, at which time a restoration effort was undertaken. Restorers found that many of the original furnishings were still serviceable, including the oak and butternut woodwork and pews as well as the carpet. The steeple was most in need of restoration. ''Note:'' This includes In 1978, the church was again opened to the public, starting an annual tradition of three monthly non-denominational services – June, July, and August – led by area ministers and featuring local musicians, and often followed by an

ice cream social An ice cream social (also known as an ice cream party) is a planned event, the primary focus of which is ice cream served to the guests. It is often a neighborhood event or welcoming party, normally held during the summer. History Ice cream soci ...

. The building consists of only two rooms: a small anteroom which leads, via two flanking doors, to the much larger sanctuary. The steeple is accessed via a rough-hewn ladder in the anteroom. Behind the church, to the east, stands a boulder commemorating the arrival of the Powers settlers in 1837, and beyond that lies the Powers Cemetery, where the first burials date from 1839, nearly 40 years before the church.Haynie, Devon (2009)
Grave secrets - Old cemeteries offer history lesson, scenic views
, ''

Fort Wayne Journal Gazette ''The Journal Gazette'' is the morning newspaper in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It publishes seven days a week, and contends for circulation and advertising in a 15-county area. History ''The Journal Gazette'' traces its origins to 1863 when ''The For ...

'', July 19, 2009, accessed August 2009.

Gallery

File:Powers Church pews IN USA.jpg, Unlike most churches, the pews are divided down the center by a wooden panel. File:Powers Church podium 1.jpg, The podium at the front of the chapel File:Powers Church stove 1.JPG, A pair of these stoves provide the heat for the church.

References

{{National Register of Historic Places in Indiana Evangelical churches in Indiana Churches on the National Register of Historic Places in Indiana Italianate architecture in Indiana Churches completed in 1876 19th-century churches in the United States Buildings and structures in Steuben County, Indiana Tourist attractions in Steuben County, Indiana National Register of Historic Places in Steuben County, Indiana Italianate church buildings in the United States Greek Revival church buildings in Indiana