Christ Church (Guilford, Vermont) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Christ Church
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(2013)
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | Calvin Coolidge Mem. Hwy. (US Route 5) & Melendy Hill Rd. Guilford, Vermont |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1817 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 82001707 |
| Added to NRHP | May 13, 1982 |
Christ Church is a very old and important building in Guilford, Vermont. You can find it at Melendy Hill Road and US Route 5. It was built way back in 1817. Later, it got a cool new look called Gothic Revival style. This church was the very first Episcopal church ever built in Vermont!
Because of its history, Christ Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 13, 1982. Today, the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont owns it. A local group helps take care of this special building.
Contents
Christ Church: A Historic Vermont Building
What Makes Christ Church Special?
Christ Church sits on a small hill just south of Guilford's town center. It looks out over Broad Brook and where Melendy Hill Road meets United States Route 5. It is a single-story building made of wood. It has a pointed roof and a brick bottom.
The front of the church has a tall, square tower. This tower stands about 60 feet (18 m) high. The main door is at the bottom of the tower. It has a special fan-shaped window above it. The top of the tower has a bell room with round openings. The tower also has fancy decorations called pinnacles at its corners.
The Church's Design and Story
The church was built in 1817 using materials from the local area. It was first designed to look like another Episcopal church in Greenfield, Massachusetts. That church is not there anymore. A bronze bell was put into Christ Church in 1830.
In 1837, the church got its Gothic Revival style. This is the look you see today. During this time, the original high pulpit was moved lower. Four of the old box pews (church benches) were taken out.
A Look at Its History
The church members were first part of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. Then, in 1832, the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont was created. Over time, fewer people attended the church. This was also happening to the town itself.
Christ Church stopped being a regular church before the 1900s. But it is still considered a holy place. It is sometimes used for Episcopal church services. The Christ Church Guilford Society has fixed it up. They now use it for music shows, other cultural events, and even weddings.
Who is Buried Here?
The famous piano player Rudolf Serkin is buried in the church cemetery. Also, Union Army general John Wolcott Phelps is buried there.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Windham County, Vermont
- Christ Church (disambiguation)
