February 2026.
Several times while driving down High Street in Clintonville, I noticed a little white steeple peeking out from the roof gables that make up much of the neighborhood’s residential character. This interested me because this steeple was made of wood, meaning that the church it belonged to was Carpenter Gothic in style, an uncommon vernacular interpretation of the Gothic Revival style. (I also covered 4th Avenue Church of God later, but that one is a bit more grand in scale.) I visited on a snowy, cloudy day, which complemented the church’s white paint.
The Church on Como is located at 29 East Como Avenue in the Clintonville neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio. It is bordered by Como Avenue to the north and houses all around.
History
This church was built by what is now known as the North Broadway United Methodist congregation, which is currently located in a larger church on East North Broadway Street. They began worshipping in Columbus in 1819 and built their first church in 1838. This church dates to 1910 and was built in the newly growing suburb that would become Clintonville.
North Broadway UM outgrew the humble chapel very quickly, requiring a new church as early as 1920. Their present church on North Broadway was completed in 1924, and the Como Avenue church became a smaller congregation known as Como Avenue Methodist Episcopal. It has since been renamed or purchased by groups with similar names, but all include “Como Avenue” in some manner. The church is currently known as the “Church on Como.”
Photos
I took these right after the blizzard at the end of January, which snowed the whole city in. It was better by this time, but it’s still obvious how some of the cars were buried:
I think the snowy weather and clouds relate well to the church’s stark white exterior. It feels like a cozier neighborhood church versus the larger cathedrals downtown.
Carpenter Gothic churches are more vernacular in their design. This can be seen in the wood-shingled walls, simple arched windows with double-hung frames, and very simple details. However, it seems like age is starting to catch up, since parts of the tower are cracking away.
North facade looking down Como Avenue:
The church has a cruciform plan with a corner tower and entrance. Each section has a simple gabled roof, much like a house.
West transept:
These windows are the original wood frames that the church was built with:
These are standard double-hung windows, like you’d have on your house, with a pointed transom above.
Rear porch and projection, probably parish offices:
A closer look at the bell tower--the wood is definitely showing its age here:
These five-panel entrance doors are also original, likewise similar to what would be in a house of the period.
The east facade is largely identical to the west:
Hopefully this one has the longevity to keep sticking it out--little churches like this one are closing all over the place due to decreasing attendance. It’s unfortunate from an architectural standpoint, from my perspective.
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