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 historic Episcopal church located at 381 Main Street in Middletown, Connecticut. It was finished in 1874. This church is a great example of Gothic Revival architecture in the city. Its old rectory (the house where the church leader lived), also called the Bishop Acheson House, is a beautiful example of Colonial Revival style. Both buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. This means they are important historical places worth protecting.
Contents
The Church of the Holy Trinity
What the Church Looks Like
This Gothic church is at 381 Main Street. It faces east from the west side of Main Street. The church sits back from the street with a green lawn in front. It looks very strong and serious because it is built from heavy brownstone. This is a big contrast to the bright shops nearby on Main Street.
The Church's History
The Episcopal Church in Middletown started a long time ago, around 1724. Unlike some other churches back then, this one strongly supported the American side during the American Revolution. This building is the third church for the parish, which officially began as Christ Church in 1750. Several of its leaders later became bishops. These include Abraham Jarvis, John Williams, and Edward Campion Acheson. Edward Campion Acheson was also the father of Dean Acheson, who became a very important government official.
The church was built between 1870 and 1874. Henry Dudley was the architect, which means he designed the building. The main builders were McConochie, Moor, and Mylechreest. The church is made from local brownstone. It has a balanced front with a bell tower at one corner. A large round window with fancy patterns is the main decoration on the front. There are also arched and tall, narrow windows. The tower does not have a pointy top (a spire). However, its narrow arched windows make it look very tall. Inside, there are detailed wooden supports that rest on metal posts. The altar and the decorative screen behind it were added around 1892. They were designed by Charles Haight.
After the American Civil War, many public buildings in Middletown were built in the Gothic Revival style. This church is a good example of that trend.
How the Church is Used Today
The Church of the Holy Trinity is still used as a church today. It is in good condition. Most of its beautiful stained glass windows were repaired and cleaned in 2011. The church continues to serve its community.
The Rectory (Bishop Acheson House)
The old rectory, located at 144 Broad Street, is also known as the Bishop Acheson House. It is now called St. Luke's Housing for the Elderly. This building is in the Colonial Revival style. It was built between 1902 and 1903. We do not know who designed or built this house.
What the Rectory Looks Like and Where It Is
This large house is set back from the street. It has a big, well-kept yard. The street it is on is mostly residential, with houses from the mid to late 1800s. Nearby, there are a couple of small shops and the Gothic Revival Russell Library.
The Rectory's History
This house was built in 1902. It was the third rectory for the Holy Trinity Church. The Reverend Edward Campion Acheson was the first person to live there. He was the eighteenth leader of the church. His son, Dean Acheson, became a very important person in the government. He served as the United States Secretary of State for President Harry S. Truman. In 1915, Reverend Acheson stopped leading the church and became the sixth Bishop of Connecticut. The house is no longer used as a home for the church's leader. Instead, it has been turned into apartments for older people. It is now known as St. Luke's.
This large house is a great example of the Georgian Revival style. It has many beautiful details. For example, it has a front porch with six columns and a railing. It also has a special window with three parts called a Palladian window. The roofline has decorative blocks called modillions.
How the Rectory is Used Today
The building has been changed into apartments for older people. These apartments are managed by St. Luke's. The property is in very good condition.
See also
