Photo by Art Smith Looking west toward the front of The First Congregational United Church of Christ at 318 Front St.

MARIETTA — The roots of The First Congregational United Church of Christ at 318 Front St. can be traced all the way back to the pioneers who first settled Marietta in 1788.

Rufus Putnam and other earlier settlers of Marietta banded together to form the church on Dec. 6, 1796. A large wooden church was constructed a few blocks south of Campus Martius and would be patterned after the Hollis Street Congregational Church in Boston that Rufus Putnam attended. The Muskingum Park statue honoring the pioneers is a stone’s throw from the steps of the church.

The Hollis Street Church was destroyed by fire in 1787 and rebuilt shortly after. It is possible the Ohio pioneers used the plans from Boston to build the Marietta church that was completed in 1809.

The wood church stood for a century before fire broke out during a blizzard on the night of Feb. 13, 1905.

A year later the church was back, this time made of brick and built higher than the one it replaced. Workers reused some of the materials from the burned church and charred timbers behind the huge Austin Chancel Pipe Organ are visible.

Photo by Art Smith The pipes of the organ.

The church has a New England feel to it, with polished wood pews and white trim.

Positioned close to the Muskingum River, boat captains nicknamed it the “two horned” church because of the pair of bell towers that are on the front of the building. During the devastating 1913 flood, water reached the bottom of the balcony of the church.

In warm weather, the front doors of the church are open during service, allowing the Rev. Linda Steelman a clear view from the pulpit all the way to the river and to people using the River Trail.

The church, according to Steelman, has always worked to be an integral part of the community. The community food pantry is housed there, as is the office for Franciscan Meals.

Kiwanis (Pancake Days), The Castle, AA, Al-Anon, Heroin Anonymous, Parents of Heroin Addicts, MOV’n’ Dragons, Pioneer Preschool events, Marietta Children’s Choir and Marietta College Choirs are among groups that hold events and meetings there.

Photo by Art Smith One of the stained glass windows of the church.

We welcome all people and say, “No matter who you are or where you are on your life journey, you are welcome here,” said Steelman.

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By the Numbers

* Address: 318 Front St., Marietta

* Established: Dec. 6, 1796

Photo by Art Smith The church, and the nearby statue to the pioneers who established it.

* First church built: Started in 1807, and dedicated on May 28, 1808

* Destroyed by fire: Feb. 13, 1905

* Rebuilt church opened: 1906

* Number of bell towers: 2

* Number of bells in the towers: There is one bell in the south tower. The large bell survived the fire that destroyed the first church at the location. There are 10 bells in the north tower that are attached to handles that allow a bell ringer to play music on them. Those bells were installed in memory of Betsey Mills by her husband William and for her parents, who were members of the choir at the church.

Photo by Art Smith The tower finial contains the circle, cross and crown that is part of the logo for United Church of Christ.

Photo by Art Smith A wood collection plate at the church.

Photo by Art Smith Curved railings on the upper level seating of the church.

Photo by Art Smith The front steps of the church.

Photo by Art Smith Church member Scott Britton uses handles to ring the bells in the north tower of the church. A set of 10 bells mounted in the tower allow music to be played.

The wooden church that was destroyed by fire on Feb. 13, 1905.