This imposing church was built and enlarged during two periods of economic vitality in Petersburg. Its first Greek Revival phase coincided with the city's prosperous period as a market and transportation center. When it was enlarged in 1897 and a Romanesque Revival facade added, Petersburg's economy was vibrant from dark tobacco, peanuts, and iron. In the 1840s, most church buildings were remarkably similar, but by the latter part of the nineteenth century the different denominations had to some degree acquired their own architectural identity. Richly decorated churches displaying confidence and prosperity were particularly favored by Methodist congregations. A three-arched portico of rough-faced ashlar and brick fronts the gabled and corbeled brick wall of the central section. The two flanking towers, similar but not identical, also have prominent corbel tables.