Cavendish Universalist Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Cavendish Universalist Church
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | VT 131, Cavendish, Vermont |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1844 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Vernacular Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000252 |
| Added to NRHP | April 24, 1973 |
The Cavendish Universalist Church is a very old and special church building located on Vermont Route 131 in Cavendish, Vermont. It was built a long time ago in 1844. What makes it unique is how it was built: Scottish stonemasons used a rare stone-laying style called "snecked ashlar". This building is so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, which means it's recognized for its historical value.
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A Look at the Church Building
The Cavendish Universalist Church stands on the north side of VT 131. It's a single-story building, meaning it has one main floor. The roof is shaped like a triangle, which is called a gabled roof. On top of the roof, there's a two-part square tower made of wood, with an open section for bells.
The Unique Stone Walls
The walls of the church are made from local fieldstone. These are stones found right in the area. The way the stones are put together is very special. It's called "snecked ashlar" style. This means the builders used a mix of larger stone blocks and flatter, thinner slabs. These stones are laid in rows, and thick lines of mortar separate each row.
Front of the Church
The front of the church looks the same on both sides. There are tall windows with many small glass panes on each side of the main double door. Above the double door, there's another window. The most noticeable design parts are on the tower. Both parts of the tower have flat, column-like decorations on their corners, which are called pilasters.
History of the Church
The Cavendish Universalist Church was built in 1844. It's believed that Scottish immigrant stonemasons built it. These skilled workers had moved to the area about ten years earlier from Canada.
Why the Building Style is Special
Local historians think that these Scottish stonemasons are the reason for the unusual building methods seen in this church. This special way of laying stones is mostly found in this part of southeastern Windsor County. It's very rare to see this style anywhere else in Vermont! Today, the local historical society owns the building, helping to keep its unique history alive.
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