Centre Street Congregational Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Centre Street Congregational Church
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | Center St., Machias, Maine |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1837 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000114 |
| Added to NRHP | May 12, 1975 |
The Centre Street Congregational Church is a very old and beautiful church located at 9 Center Street in Machias, Maine. It was built a long time ago, between 1836 and 1837. This church is special because it's one of the first buildings in northern New England to show off the Gothic Revival architecture style. It might even have been designed by a famous architect named Richard Upjohn. In 1975, this important building was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's recognized as a significant historical site. Today, the church is part of the United Church of Christ.
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About the Church Building
The Centre Street Congregational Church stands in downtown Machias. It is a large building made of wood, resting on a tall foundation of granite. The roof has two sloping sides, and the outside walls are covered with overlapping wooden boards called clapboard siding.
The Church Tower
The front of the church faces west and has a big, square tower that sticks out. This tower is a main feature of the building. At the bottom of the tower, there are three arched openings that lead into an open entrance area. From there, more arched doors lead into the church itself.
The tower goes up in several sections. Each section has a tall, arched window. The corners of the tower have decorative columns called pilasters. The very top of the tower has a clock with faces on all four sides. Above the clock, there are pointed decorations called pinnacles at the corners, and then a tall, pointed steeple reaches towards the sky.
History of the Church
The design for this church was created in 1836, and the building was finished in 1837. It is one of the oldest examples of Gothic architecture still standing in the state of Maine. The oldest is the Christ Episcopal Church in Gardiner, built in 1819.
Who Designed It?
A person named Mr. Stephenson designed the church, but not much is known about him. However, the plans for this church look very similar to plans made by Richard Upjohn. Upjohn was a famous architect known for his Gothic designs. He designed St. John's Catholic Church in Bangor, Maine, which was built around the same time but is no longer standing.
Special Features
The church has some interesting historical parts:
- The church bell was once used somewhere else. It was made by the foundry of Paul Revere, who is famous for his ride during the American Revolution!
- The organ inside the church was built by George Stevens. It was put in place in 1867.
- The clock in the tower was made by E. Howard & Co.. It was installed in 1870.
See also
