Calvary Methodist Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Calvary Methodist Church
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A photo of the church, taken in 2008
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 300 Mass. Ave., Arlington, Massachusetts |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1923 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 83003433 |
| Added to NRHP | June 23, 1983 |
The Calvary Methodist Church is a special old church building in Arlington, Massachusetts. You can find it at 300 Massachusetts Avenue. It was built between 1919 and 1923. This church looks a lot like Boston's famous Kings Chapel, but it's made of wood. One of its most interesting parts is the tower. It has a unique bell tower (called a belfry) on top. This belfry was designed by a famous architect named Charles Bulfinch way back in 1809. It was originally made for another building, the Boylston Market. It was saved from being torn down and given to the church in 1921. Because of its history and design, the church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This list helps protect important places.
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Exploring Calvary Methodist Church
The Calvary Methodist Church is on the southwest side of Massachusetts Avenue. It is located southeast of the center of Arlington. The church building is made of wood and has a rectangular shape. A part of the building sticks out at the front. This part is called the vestibule, and it has a tall tower.
Church Design and Features
The main part of the church has a roof that slopes on all sides, called a hipped roof. The side walls have four windows that are shaped like round arches. The front part that sticks out has four tall columns. These columns are in the Ionic style, which means they have scroll-like shapes at the top.
Above these columns is a square section. This section holds a clock that faces the front. It also has small round windows on its other three sides. On top of this square part is a decorative railing. Above the railing is another section made of flat boards. This part has wide sections that stick out and a fancy trim with small block shapes.
The Unique Bell Tower
The very top of the church tower has an eight-sided bell tower, or belfry. Four of its sides are wide and have arched openings. These openings are where the bells would be. There are columns at the corners of these openings. Above the belfry is another eight-sided section that gets smaller as it goes up. The very top has a roof that curves inward. A separate building, called a parish house, was built in 1953. It is connected to the church by a small walkway.
History of the Church Building
The Methodist church group first started meeting in Arlington in 1916. Soon after, they made plans to build their own church. The building you see today was designed by James Macnaughton and William Perry. Construction started in 1919.
Building Challenges and Community Help
The church group found it hard to pay for all the building costs. At one point, the builder even thought about selling the unfinished church. He considered turning it into a theater. But the people of Arlington came together. They raised enough money to finish the church. The building was finally completed in 1923.
The Famous Bulfinch Bell Tower
While designing the church, James Macnaughton learned something interesting. He found out about a special bell tower that architect Charles Bulfinch had designed. This tower was meant for Boston's Kings Chapel, but it was never built there. Macnaughton then discovered that a Bulfinch-designed tower already existed. It had been placed on the Boylston Market, a building Bulfinch designed in 1810.
The Boylston Market was torn down in 1887. But its unique bell tower had been saved in 1886. A brewery in Charlestown bought it. Later, that brewery was going to be torn down too. The owner of the brewery agreed to give the bell tower to the church. He only asked that its interesting history be shared. This is how the Calvary Methodist Church got its special, historic bell tower.
See also
