Christ Church (Dark Harbor, Maine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
Christ Church
|
|
![]() |
|
Location | Main Rd. Dark Harbor, Maine |
---|---|
Area | 4.6 acres (1.9 ha) |
Built | 1901 |
Architect | Allen, Francis R. |
Architectural style | Shingle Style |
NRHP reference No. | 92000276 |
Added to NRHP | March 26, 1992 |
Christ Church is a very old and special church located in the Dark Harbor area of Islesboro, Maine. It's not tied to one specific religion, but it has been used for Episcopal church services since it was built. This beautiful building was constructed between 1901 and 1902. It's a great example of the churches built along Maine's coast for summer visitors around that time. Because of its history and unique style, Christ Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.
Contents
Discovering Christ Church
Christ Church is found in southern Islesboro. This is an island community in Penobscot Bay, located in central Maine. The church building looks out over Pendleton Point Road. This road is the main route running north and south on the narrow island.
What Does the Church Look Like?
The church building has a shape like a cross. Its longest part runs from north to south. It is covered with wooden shingles and stucco. The bottom part of the church is made from rough stone.
You can reach the church from Christ Church Road. There's a walkway with stone walls. This path goes over a pretty arched stone bridge.
Special Features of the Building
The front of the church faces south. It has a porch with a pointed roof. This porch is held up by square posts. These posts have cool decorative parts. The porch roof also shows its wooden beams. On each side of the porch, there are two windows. They have small, diamond-shaped glass panes.
Above the porch, in the main pointed roof section, are four more windows. They look just like the ones on the porch. The east side of the church is on a slope. This side has an exposed basement. It has stone supports and arched openings with slats.
How the Church Began
The Dark Harbor area of Islesboro became a popular summer vacation spot in the late 1800s. Many people visiting these coastal areas wanted to attend Episcopal church services. The first services were held in 1891. They took place in the ballroom of the Islesboro Inn.
Soon, a small church was built on this very spot. But it quickly became too small for everyone who wanted to attend. So, a famous architect from Boston, Francis R. Allen, designed a much larger church. This new building was a big expansion of the first one. It was built between 1901 and 1902.
Today, Christ Church is managed by its own group of trustees. It is officially "open to all" people.