Acworth Congregational Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Acworth Congregational Church
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![]() Acworth Congregational Church
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Location | North end of town common, Acworth, New Hampshire |
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Area | less than one acre |
Built | 1821 |
Architect | Elias Carter |
Architectural style | Federal |
NRHP reference No. | 75000132 |
Added to NRHP | June 13, 1975 |
The Acworth Congregational Church is a very old and special building in Acworth, New Hampshire. People sometimes call it "The Church-on-the-Hill" or "Acworth Meetinghouse." It was built in 1821 and is a great example of an old American building style called Federal architecture. Inside, it looks like it did in the Victorian era, which is pretty unique! This church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 because it's so important. Today, a local group helps take care of it.
Contents
What Does the Church Look Like?
The Acworth Congregational Church stands tall in the village center of Acworth. It's at the top end of the town common, which is like a big grassy area.
Outside the Church
- It's a two-story building made of wood. It has a pointed roof and is covered in wooden boards called clapboards.
- The front part sticks out a bit. It has a triangular top with a round window, like an eye.
- There are flat, column-like decorations on the corners of the building.
- A tall tower rises above the front of the church. It has four parts, with the top two parts being eight-sided.
Inside the Church
- The inside of the church looks mostly like it did after a big redecoration in the 1880s. This style is from the Victorian era.
- It's special because many other churches from that time have been changed, but this one still shows its Victorian design.
A Look at the Church's History
The Acworth Congregational Church was built in 1821. It had some changes made to it throughout the 1800s.
Who Designed It?
- The church's design seems to be inspired by another church in Templeton, Massachusetts. That church was designed by a person named Elias Carter.
- Elias Carter influenced many church designs in the area. However, it's not completely certain if he designed this specific church in Acworth. The church's old records from that time are missing.
How It Was Built
- The church's congregation, which is the group of people who attend the church, started in 1773. This building was their second meeting house.
- Their first church, built in 1784, was paid for by the town. But this new church, built in 1821, was paid for only by the congregation. This was because people were starting to think that the church and the town government should be separate.
- The inside of the church was updated in the late 1800s.
- Today, a local non-profit group helps keep the building in good shape.