Clare Congregational Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clare Congregational Church |
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The Clare Congregational Church, also known as the Clare Congregational United Church of Christ, is a historic church building. You can find it at 110 West Fifth Street in Clare, Michigan. This church is very important. It was named a Michigan State Historic Site in 1994. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in the same year. This means it's a special place worth protecting.
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What is the History of Clare Congregational Church?
When was the Church Started?
The town of Clare was founded around 1870. In 1872, a minister named Rev. Austin H. Norris came to town. He helped start the Clare Congregational Church. At first, the church members met in a school building. But soon, they began building their own church. A small wooden church was finished in 1874.
When was the Current Building Built?
By 1907, the church needed a bigger building. The old wooden church was moved to the back of the property. In 1908, they hired an architect named William T. Cooper. He designed the beautiful new church. Construction was finished in 1909.
How Did the Church Change Over Time?
In 1961, the Clare Congregational Church joined with another church group. It became known as the Clare Congregational United Church of Christ. The building was updated in 1994. People still use this historic church today.
What Does the Clare Congregational Church Look Like?
What are the Outside Features?
The Clare Congregational Church is made of red brick. It has special limestone decorations. The church sits on a strong concrete foundation. It is shaped like a cross. It also has a unique eight-sided dome on top.
Each side of the church has a limestone band. This band is just above the basement. There is a wide middle section on each side. This section has three windows. These windows are surrounded by flat columns with limestone trim. The main door is in a small structure. This structure has a hip roof, which slopes on all sides.
What About the Windows and Inside?
The central dome has beautiful stained glass windows. Other stained glass windows in the church are even older. They were first put into the original 1874 church building.
In 1958, a single-story part was added to the back of the church. Inside, the main worship area is shaped like a half-circle. It is decorated with patterns. These patterns came from European designs. This church is special. It is one of the few in Michigan that looks like very old Christian churches. These old churches were built in the 400s and 500s.
