Historic Church Walk

Thank you to everyone who helped make the “Walking Tour of Downtown Bluffton Churches” held on Thursday, August 21, 2025 a success. Jim Sturgeon, Tour Guide and President of the Wells County Historical Society and Museum is shown explaining some history at the Bluffton First Methodist Church.

The First Reformed Church of Bluffton located at 301 W. Cherry St. was built in 1908, and is an example of Gothic Revival style. Grindle & Houck, Archiects. (This photo was taken before the top portion of the bell tower was remodeled later in the summer of 2025.)

Front door of the First Reformed Church of Bluffton.

Inside view of the 2nd floor balcony, looking to the south.

The stained glass windows of the First Reformed Church of Bluffton.

View of the First Baptist Church, 202 W. Cherry St., built in 1896 in the Queen Anne style, E.N. Lamm Architect.

Front door of the Baptist church.

The church completed two remodeling programs, in 1915 and 1936; a sanctuary rebuilding as a result of a June, 1946 fire; addition of an educational wing in 1970; and installation of a new organ in the fall of 1971.

The fire , on June 10, 1946, late on Monday afternoon, caused an estimated $50,000 damage to the interior of the church, its sanctuary and its educational section. The congregation met in an auditorium of the City Building during the months of reconstruction before being able to return to the church Stree building on December 28, 1947. – from the Wells County, Indiana Family History, 1837-1992.

The former St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 410 W. Cherry St. was built in 1874 in the Italianate style. The church originally sat in the lot to the west of the present location. The church was moved to the corner lot when a parsonage was built on the original church lot. There was a underground tunnel originally between the two buildings.

The church featured a rose window at the front. The building is now a private residence.

Bluffton First Methodist Church, built in 1952.

The rose window from the outside, south side of the church.

View inside the church looking south with the rose window at the top.