The Bluestone building started its life as the First Baptist Church in 1896. The Baptists – an early religious force and integrated congregation – played an important role in growing Columbus. However over time, African Americans wished to have their own church where they would not be asked to sit in certain pews as was the custom --and Second Baptist was formed.
This building represents a time of great prosperity for the church. While the enormous tracery, pointed windows and heavy buttresses of the structure first catch the eye, the inside is equally amazing with stained glass and well appointed rooms.
At one time, almost 1,500 members belonged to the church; and in the early 20th century, a Sunday radio broadcast reached thousands more. When the population of the church dwindled to fewer than 20 families, the building was sold -- and reborn as the catering and event venue The Bluestone.
The Bluestone sits on the original National Road which served as the gateway to the West for many early settlers and played an important role in the population of cities and towns along the route. Also known as Route 40, the road runs for almost 700 miles from Baltimore, Maryland to Vandalia, Illinois, and is highlighted by mileage markers, including one along the Scioto River.
The National Road entered Columbus from the west on Broad Street, turned south on High Street to Main Street, and then jogged back over to Broad in the City of Columbus. However, the route changed when the wealthy residents of East Broad did not want traffic on their residential streets and the businesses on Main Street welcomed the traffic. The road was then detoured to go around the homes.
583 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Franklin County
Please note: The Greater Columbus Arts Council (Arts Council) does not own or manage any public art. For the purposes of this database many pieces were entered by the Arts Council while we continue to search for the appropriate owner/manager of the work and other information to complete the entry. The Arts Council has tried to gather all available information about the works in this database, however, we acknowledge there may be missing or inaccurate information. If you can help us correct any inaccuracies, or provide more complete information, we would be grateful. Please use “Something missing? Please send us a note” above.
Taking images of public art works and sharing your experiences is one of the most fun reasons to engage with public art. As a community, we care deeply about the artists who have contributed the artworks we enjoy every day. Please be sure to credit artists when you share your photos. If you have an interest in using public artwork present in this database for commercial purposes, please contact Jami Goldstein at the Greater Columbus Arts Council. Taking your own images of public artwork does not release you from the responsibility of artist credit and/or compensation.
This site is produced and managed by the Greater Columbus Arts Council and supported by the Ohio Arts Council and public art collections across the state. Contributors to the databases to date include collections held by the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, City of Columbus, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Dublin Arts Council, City of Upper Arlington Cultural Arts Department, City of Kettering, Downtown Mansfield Inc., Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Licking County Foundation, Ohio Arts Council’s Percent for Art program, Short North Arts District and the City of Sandusky. The database was funded in part by a grant from the Ohio Arts Council. Research and development support is provided by Designing Local, OSA Technology Partners and Columbus artist Stephanie Rond. The Columbus Makes Art campaign is a citywide, collaborative marketing effort designed to highlight the incredible talent of central Ohio artists. The Greater Columbus Arts Council is supported by the City of Columbus and the Ohio Arts Council.
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