Damariscotta Baptist Church facts for kids
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Damariscotta Baptist Church
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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The church in September 2013
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 4 Bristol Rd., Damariscotta, Maine |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1843 |
| Architect | Samuel Melcher |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Greek Revival |
| Part of | Main Street Historic District (2001 increase) (ID00001636) |
| NRHP reference No. | 85001265 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | June 20, 1985 |
| Designated CP | January 22, 2001 |
The Damariscotta Baptist Church is a historic building in Damariscotta, Maine. You can find it at 4 Bristol Road. This church was built between 1843 and 1847. It was later updated in 1891. The building shows off two cool styles of architecture: Greek Revival and Colonial Revival. It also played a big part in the early days of Damariscotta town. Because of its history and design, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
Contents
Exploring the Damariscotta Baptist Church Building
The Damariscotta Baptist Church stands at the east end of the town's main shopping area. This area is called the Main Street Historic District. The church is at the corner of Main Street and Bristol Road. It sits on a small hill, so you can see it easily from many parts of Main Street.
What Does the Church Look Like?
The church is made of wood and has one main floor. It has a roof that slopes down on two sides, like a triangle. The front of the church is covered with smooth, flat boards. The sides and back have overlapping wooden planks called clapboards.
The Church Tower and Front Entrance
A tall, square tower rises above the front of the church. It has several sections. The first part of the tower holds a clock. Above that is a belfry, where the church bell would be. A pointed steeple sits on top of the belfry. The front of the church has a special design called a Greek Revival temple front. It features a triangular top part, called a pediment. This pediment is held up by six tall, fancy columns. These columns are in the Ionic style.
Windows and Inside Details
The windows on the sides of the church are made of stained glass. They have many small panes of colored glass. Each window has a rounded arch at the top. This gives the church a unique and beautiful look.
The History of Damariscotta Baptist Church
The church has a long and interesting history. It started as a group of people who met for worship in 1819. Back then, it was known as the Second Baptist Church in Nobleboro.
How the Church Got Its Name
In 1848, the town of Damariscotta officially became its own town. Before that, it was part of Nobleboro. When Damariscotta became a town, the church changed its name. It became the Damariscotta Baptist Church. The very first meeting to organize the new town was held right inside this church building.
Building the Church and Later Changes
The church building was constructed over several years, from 1843 to 1847. Experts believe that Samuel Melcher, an architect from Brunswick, designed it. When it was first built, the church had pointed, arched windows. These were in the Gothic style. But in 1891, the church was updated. The pointed windows were changed to the rounded ones you see today.
See also
