Tyson Temple Church dedicted to worship, family-Versailles, IN

A drive along Route 50 into Versailles, IN, will lead one to discover a silver cross glistening in the

sky near its historic downtown. Upon further investigation, the symbol's 65-foot open-work cast

aluminum base with unique cone spire comes into view.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Tyson Temple United Methodist Church is not only a place of worship but a unique example of Art Deco architecture. Inspired by designs found

The church spire is 65 foot high and 8 feet
in diameter. Photo by Kendal R. Miller.

during his travels, James H. Tyson--later known as "Uncle Jim"--created a trust fund that would finance the construction of the Tyson Temple.

The structure is unique in that it is made without wood, therefore not utilizing nails in construction. With the lack of hammering, Tyson was called a "Temple," just as when Israel built its temple. The church is constructed of concrete, steel, stone, terra cotta, glazed and glass brick, and stone.

Born in Versailles in 1846, James H. Tyson worked at a local newspaper becoming an itinerant printer by age 15. Traveling around the U.S., he eventually opened a small shop in Chicago in the late 1800's. It was while living in the same boarding house Tyson befriended Charles Walgreen, a drug store owner.

Mr. Tyson and Mr. Walgreen became close friends, with Tyson eventually helping Walgreen open his second drug store with an $1500 investment--what became the start of the Walgreen Drug Company.

Tyson Temple United Methodist Church
is located in Versailles, IN, and was
 dedicated in 1937. Photo by Kendal R. Miller.

While Mr. Tyson remained in the printing industry, he also assumed the role of treasurer of the drug company. With a change of Illinois law in 1926, only pharmacists were allowed to hold an officer position. Having to give up the treasurer's position, Mr. Tyson took charge of the company's insurance.

Never married, Mr. Tyson created a trust fund of 18,000 shares of Walgreen stock to be used to build a new Methodist Church. The arrangement was to replace the Versailles Church where his mother was a charter member since it was organized in 1834. According to the trust agreement, the new place of worship was to be built "to the glory of God" and in memory of Mr. Tyson's mother, Eliza Adams Tyson.

Designed by the Indianapolis firm of Odle, McGuire & Schook, Tyson Temple United Methodist Church was constructed by Bruns & Gutzwiller, Inc. of Batesville for the sum of $150,000. Dedicated in May 1937, the church remains open for worship service to this day.

The lumber for the church pews were made from oak, and
felled in Ripley County. The stars on the wall and ceiling
are in configuration of the stars on the night that "Uncle Jim's"
mother passed. Photo by Kendal R. Miller.

Along with architectural features that Mr. Tyson discovered through his travels, the church is filled with symbols that has either personal or biblical significance.

The interior church doors are made of bronze and are patterned from the doors of a ship, a form of travel that Uncle Jim enjoyed. The unique handrail is believed to be similar to what Mr. Tyson saw utilized in a church in France. The pews were constructed in Batesville, from timber felled in Ripley County.

While several renovations were made since it's initial construction, the church remains as close to the original structure as possible.

The church is located at 324 West Tyson Street in Versailles, IN. For more information about the Tyson Temple United Methodist Church or to schedule a group tour, contact (812) 689-6976 or e-mail tysonumc@insightbb.com. Information on services can be found at tysonumc.org.

More photos of the Tyson Temple Church are below.

©2015 All copy and photos. All rights reserved.
Photography by Kendal, LLC. 

James H. Tyson was born in Versailles, IN, in 1856. He
made a trust fund in 1926 to finance the construction of
 Tyson Temple United Methodist Church. It was dedicated
 in 1937 and remains open today. Group tours welcome. 

A stone with "Eliza Adams Tyson" is
 inset in the vestibule, honoring
"Uncle Jim's" mother. 

The stars on the ceiling are in the same
 configuration of when Mr. Tyson's mother died.
The gold leaf in the dome above the choir
and the silver leaf on the pillars were imported
from central Germany. 

Rounded corners, arches, columns, and
unique railings are some of the architectural
features that Mr. Tyson found through his travels and
re-created in the Tyson Temple United Methodist Church. 

The inside church doors are made of bronze
and are patterned after doors of a ship--a
form of transportation that Mr. Tyson enjoyed utilizing. 

Tyson United Methodist Church is entered into the
National Register of Historic Places. It also received the
Rosemary Prentice Award for Historic Preservation for
restoration work in 2006. The honor was given to the church by
the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana. 

The golden arch symbolizes the rainbow
after the flood with the silver representing sheaves
of wheat. The Bible is said to refer to
people/church as wheat.

Special thanks to Katherine Taul, executive director of Ripley County Tourism, and the Tyson Temple United Methodist Church staff for their help for this blog post. For more information on Ripley County, log-on to ripleycountytourism.com.