Avon Congregational Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Avon Congregational Church
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 6 West Main St. (Jct. of U.S. 202 and 44), Avon, Connecticut |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1819 |
| Architect | David Hoadley |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001342 |
| Added to NRHP | November 7, 1972 |
The Avon Congregational Church is a historic church building in Avon, Connecticut. It's located at 6 West Main Street. This beautiful church was built in 1819. It was made for a group of people who started meeting in 1754. The church is a great example of a building style called Federal architecture. It was designed by a famous architect named David Hoadley. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. This means it's an important historical site. The church is part of the United Church of Christ.
Contents
About the Church Building
The Avon Congregational Church stands out in the center of Avon. You can find it at the corner of Route 44 and 202. It is a two-story building made of wood.
What Does It Look Like?
The church has a part that sticks out at the front where you enter. It also has a tall tower with a steeple. The front part has three sections. These sections are separated by tall, flat columns called Doric pilasters. Each section has an entrance and a window above it. The top of this front part looks like a triangle, which is called a pediment.
The Church Tower
The tower starts with a simple square section. This part has a round design that looks like a globe. Above this, there's a low railing with decorative posts. The next part of the tower is shaped like an octagon. This section has arched openings with slats, like a belfry where bells might be. These openings are also separated by pilasters.
The third part of the tower is also octagonal but smaller. It has a short, pointed top called a spire. On top of the spire, there's a weathervane. Each of these tower sections also has a low, decorative railing around it.
Church History
The church group, or congregation, first started in 1754. At that time, this area was still part of Farmington. Their first church building was on the east side of the Farmington River. Sadly, that building was destroyed by fire in 1817.
Building the New Church
After the fire, the congregation split into two groups. The current church building was finished in 1819 for the western group. Experts believe this church is one of the best works by architect David Hoadley. They think he was inspired by the designs of Charles Bulfinch.
Challenges Over Time
The church has faced some challenges over the years. In 1876, it was damaged by another fire. Later, in 1938, a big storm called the 1938 New England hurricane damaged part of its steeple. Luckily, the steeple has since been repaired and looks like it did before.
See also
