History of Bellaire's Churches

Looking Back at Bellaire's Churches
(photo source unknown) First United Presbyterian Church 1918	(photo source unknown) The former Second Presbyterian Church on the corner of 43rd and Noble Streets. It was later sold to the Trinity Episcopal Church.
photo © Bill Brinker Bellaire Presbyterian Church The ivy was later removed from the building's exterior.

(photo source unknown) First Methodist Episcopal Church 1909	(photo source unknown) First United Methodist Church
The First United Methodist Church, also known as the First Methodist Episcopal Church, was the first church to be established in Bellaire in 1839. The Reverend C.D. Battelle, a circuit rider preacher, held services every two weeks. The current church building was completed in 1889 and dedicated in April of 1890. A new altar, chancel, and organ were installed in 1940, and in 1950 a parlor was added to the building. In 1964, remodeling took place, and the new stained glass windows, new carpeting, and new pews were dedicated in 1966. The congregation held its note-burning service on January 6, 1974 when the church was free of its debts. In 1989, the church building turned 100 years old. The congregation still meets in the same location every week for services and Sunday School.	(photo source unknown) First Methodist Episcopal Church 1913
In 1895 the Methodist Episcopal churches on the Bellaire Circuit included the Lower Wegee Church (Wegee and Cash Hill Roads), Old Wegee Church (on the hill), Valley Grove Church (West Bellaire) and Quincy Church (Neffs).

(photo source unknown)

The first site of the First Reformed German Church, behind the Temple Theater on 34th Street and Union Streets.

The First Reformed Church relocated to
3450 Belmont Street on September 7, 1941, and stayed until November 18, 2001, when the building was sold to the Faith Fellowship Church. The congregation disbanded at that time due to decreasing membership.

(photo source unknown) Bellaire Christian Church 1870-1914	(photo source unknown) An undated postcard of the newest Bellaire Christian Church building.
	The Bellaire Christian Church was organized on July 4, 1840 by Alexander Campbell. The first services were held on Sunday, December 13, 1846 in the church's first building at the corner of 26th and Union Streets. Church growth led to new church buildings in 1870 and again in 1915.

(photo source unknown)
A 1909 postcard of the
South Bellaire United Methodist Church

(photo source unknown)
South Bellaire Methodist Episcopal Church 1909