Center Methodist Church facts for kids
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Center Methodist Church
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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The church steeple's renovations are nearly complete, and the steeple was reinstalled on July 26, 2007
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 Location in Cape Cod
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| Location | 356 Commercial St Provincetown, Massachusetts |
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| Part of | Provincetown Historic District (ID89001148) |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000247 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 31, 1975 |
| Designated CP | August 30, 1989 |
The Center Methodist Church is a famous building in Provincetown, Massachusetts, located at 356 Commercial Street. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historical site. This building was once a church, but it has changed its purpose many times over the years. Today, it is the home of the Provincetown Public Library.
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History of the Building
This historic building has had several lives since it was built. Here's how it has changed:
- 1860: It started as the Center Methodist Episcopal Church.
- 1958: It became the Chrysler Art Museum.
- 1974: It was known as the Center for the Arts.
- 1976: It housed the Provincetown Heritage Museum.
- 2005: It officially opened as the Provincetown Public Library.
The church was built in 1860. It was said to be the largest Methodist church in the entire United States at that time. Building it cost $22,000, which was a lot of money back then! It had space for 900 people to sit in 128 pews.
The original steeple was very tall, reaching 162 feet high. It held a huge bronze bell. However, a big storm called the Portland Gale damaged the steeple. When it was fixed in 2007, the new steeple was made shorter, about 100 feet tall. Even so, the building is still a very noticeable landmark in Provincetown.
Even today looking from the end of MacMillan Wharf towards town, the building is one of the most prominent on the skyline.
The Chrysler Art Museum
In 1958, the building was sold for $40,000 to Walter P. Chrysler Jr.. He was the son of Walter Chrysler, who started the Chrysler Corporation car company. Walter P. Chrysler Jr. wanted to use the building as an art museum. He collected many artworks by local artists for his museum.
In 1962, some questions arose about certain artworks in his collection. An exhibition called "The Controversial Century: 1850–1950" was held. Out of 187 artworks shown, some were believed to be copies by the Art Dealers Association of America. These included works thought to be by famous artists like Henri Matisse and Vincent van Gogh. Mr. Chrysler defended his art, saying they might not be masterpieces, but they were still interesting.
Chrysler ran the museum until 1970. In 1971, he moved his art collection to Virginia. Today, it is still a museum called the Chrysler Museum of Art. There are different stories about why he moved the collection. Some say the building was too small for all his art. Others remember that he was upset because the town would not help him find parking for museum visitors.
The Heritage Museum
In 1974, the building was sold again for $90,000. Thanks to the efforts of local historical groups, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Then, in 1976, the town decided to buy the building for $135,000. It became the Provincetown Heritage Museum. This museum displayed many historical items from the town. The Provincetown Heritage Museum opened its doors to the public on July 4, 1976.
The Rose Dorothea
A very special addition came to the building in 1977. This was a half-size model of Provincetown's famous fishing schooner, the Rose Dorothea. A schooner is a type of sailing ship.
On August 1, 1907, the original Rose Dorothea won the Lipton's Cup. This was in the first and only Fisherman's Race, a 42-mile race. The original ship was later sold and used to carry supplies. In 1917, a German U-boat submarine sank her after letting the crew escape safely.
Sixty years later, in 1977, work began on building the replica. This amazing model was finished and dedicated on June 25, 1988. The replica is 66 feet, 6 inches long. The original ship was much larger, at 108.7 feet long, and had a crew of 26 men.
The Provincetown Public Library
The Heritage Museum operated mostly during the summer with a small staff and volunteers. In 2001, the town decided to give the building to the Provincetown Public Library.
In 2002, major renovations began to turn the old church into a modern library. The library would move from its old building, the Provincetown Public Library, to this new, larger space.
The library's website shared the exciting plans:
The interior of the building will be completely gutted, reconstructed and restored to its original design insomuch as is possible. ... Finally complying with the Massachusetts Historical Commission requirements to maintain the grand staircases and restore the vaulted ceiling in this National Historic Landmark property, the stairs will be re-railed in order to open them for use by the public, and the vaulted ceiling will be enhanced with a secondary vault to embrace and accommodate the masts of the Rose. At last, after many long years of work, the Provincetown Public Library will officially open to the public on April 28, 2005, and this great building that has had so many lives will begin a new phase in its history.
During the renovation, a big decision had to be made about the Rose Dorothea replica. They could either keep it and build the library around it, or remove it, which would destroy it. Everyone decided to keep the schooner model. You can still see it inside the library today!
See also
