Church of the Holy Trinity and Rectory (Middletown, Connecticut) facts for kids
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Church of the Holy Trinity and Rectory (Bishop Acheson House)
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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| Location | 381 Main Street(church) and 144 Broad Street(rectory), Middletown, Connecticut |
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| Built | 1870-1874 (church), 1902-1903 (rectory) |
| Part of | Main Street Historic District (ID83001275) |
| NRHP reference No. | 79002615 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 14, 1979 |
| Designated CP | June 30, 1983 |
The Church of the Holy Trinity is a beautiful old Episcopal church located at 381 Main Street in Middletown, Connecticut. It was finished in 1874. This church is a great example of the Gothic Revival style of architecture in the city.
Near the church is its old rectory, which is also known as the Bishop Acheson House. This building is a wonderful example of the Colonial Revival style. Both the church and the rectory were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 because of their important history and architecture.
Contents
The Church of the Holy Trinity
What Does the Church Look Like?
The Church of the Holy Trinity stands on the west side of Main Street. It faces east and has a nice lawn in front. The church is built from heavy brownstone, which gives it a strong and serious look. This is very different from the bright shops and buildings nearby on Main Street.
Why Is This Church Important?
The Episcopal Church in Middletown started a very long time ago, around 1724. Unlike some other churches from that time, this church strongly supported the American colonists during the American Revolution. The church parish was officially started in 1750 and was first called Christ Church.
Many important ministers from this church later became bishops. These include Abraham Jarvis, John Williams, and Edward Campion Acheson. Edward Campion Acheson was the father of Dean Acheson, who became a famous Secretary of State.
The church building we see today was built between 1870 and 1874. Henry Dudley was the architect who designed it. The church is made from local brownstone. It has a balanced front with a tall bell tower on one corner. A large, round stained-glass window, called a rose window, is a main decoration on the front. You can also see many arched and pointed windows. Inside, the church has fancy wooden supports that look like tree branches. The altar and the decorative screen behind it were added around 1892. They were designed by Charles Haight.
After the American Civil War, many buildings in Middletown were built in the Gothic Revival style. This church is a great example of that popular building style from that time.
How Is the Church Used Today?
The Church of the Holy Trinity is still used as a church today. It is in good condition. Many of its beautiful stained-glass windows were repaired in 2011.
The Bishop Acheson House (Former Rectory)
What Does the House Look Like?
The old rectory is located at 144 Broad Street. It is also known as the Bishop Acheson House. This large house sits back from the street on a big, well-kept yard. The street around it mostly has homes from the mid to late 1800s. The Gothic Revival Russell Library is also nearby.
Why Is This House Important?
This house was built in 1902 and 1903. It was the third rectory for the Holy Trinity Church. The first person to live here was Reverend Edward Campion Acheson. He was the eighteenth rector (head minister) of the church. His son, Dean Acheson, later became the Secretary of State for President Harry S. Truman. Reverend Acheson himself became the sixth Bishop of Connecticut in 1915.
This large house is a wonderful example of the Georgian Revival style. It has many detailed features. For example, it has a porch with six columns and a railing at the entrance. It also has a special three-part window called a Palladian window and decorative molding under the roof.
How Is the House Used Today?
The building is no longer used as a rectory for the church. It has been changed into apartments for older people. These apartments are called St. Luke's. The building is in very good condition.
See also
