Cousins Island Chapel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Cousins Island Chapel
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The chapel in December 2015
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 414 Cousins Street, Cousins Island, Maine |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1894 |
| Architectural style | Gothic, Shingle Style |
| NRHP reference No. | 97000605 |
| Added to NRHP | June 20, 1997 |
Cousins Island Chapel is a special old building on Cousins Island in Casco Bay, near Yarmouth, Maine. It is located at 414 Cousins Street. Local people who lived on the island all year built this chapel in 1894. It was made for everyone, no matter their religion.
The chapel is the most interesting building on the island because of its design. It shows a popular style from the late 1800s when many summer chapels were built along the coast of Maine. The Cousins Island Chapel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. This means it is an important historical place.
Contents
About the Chapel's Design
The Cousins Island Chapel is found near the middle of Cousins Island. It sits on the east side of Cousins Street, which is the main road. The chapel is a simple, one-story building made of wood. It has a roof that slopes steeply, like a triangle.
What the Chapel Looks Like
The outside of the chapel is covered with wooden shingles and vertical wooden boards. The longest side of the building faces the road. On this side, there are windows that let in light. The main entrance is on the right side, under a small porch with a sloped roof.
The ends of the chapel's roof have tall, pointed windows. Some of these windows even have beautiful stained glass. The wooden boards on the gables (the triangular parts of the wall under the roof) are arranged vertically. You can also see decorative wooden pieces under the roof edges, where the roof flares out a little.
History of Cousins Island Chapel
The chapel was built between 1894 and 1895. Volunteers from the Yarmouth First Baptist Church helped to build it. They wanted to create a place for people on Cousins and Littlejohn Islands to worship.
How the Chapel Was Used
Even though the Baptist church helped build it, the chapel was open to all religions. It was used regularly for services until World War II. After the war, a local group that does not make a profit took care of the chapel.
Today, the chapel is still maintained by this group. It is open for services in July and August each year. The Cousins Island Chapel is one of several unique chapels built along the coast of Maine in the late 1800s. What makes it special is that it was built for people who lived on the island all year, not just for summer visitors.
See Also
