Episcopal Church of the Nativity (Huntsville, Alabama) facts for kids
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Episcopal Church of the Nativity
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Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Huntsville.
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 Location in Huntsville, Alabama
Location in Alabama
Location in the United States
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| Location | 212 Eustis Avenue, Huntsville, Alabama |
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| Built | 1859 |
| Architect | Frank Wills; Henry Dudley |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000420 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 9, 1974 |
| Designated NHL | June 21, 1990 |
The Episcopal Church of the Nativity is a beautiful church located in Huntsville, Alabama. It was built in 1859 in a style called Gothic Revival. This means it looks like the grand churches built in Europe hundreds of years ago.
This church is special because it's one of the best examples of a specific type of Gothic design called Ecclesiological Gothic in the South. It's also one of the few buildings designed by the famous architect Frank Wills that still looks mostly the same as when it was first built. Only thirteen churches he designed are still standing in the United States. Because of its importance, the church was named a National Historic Landmark in 1990.
Contents
Building the Church
The story of the Episcopal Church of the Nativity began in January 1856. The church's leader, Henry C. Lay, visited Mobile. There, he saw a new church being built called Trinity Episcopal Church. He was very impressed by its design, which was created by architects Frank Wills and Henry Dudley.
The church in Huntsville needed a bigger building. Their old one, built in 1847, was too small for everyone. So, Henry C. Lay decided to hire the same architects, Wills and Dudley, to design their new church. In 1856, the church leaders bought two plots of land next to their old church for $3,923. This land was at the corner of Eustis Avenue and Green Street.
Construction Challenges and Completion
A special committee worked for three years to collect money for the new building. They asked people to donate funds as the construction went on. They hired a local builder named Hugh N. Moore. However, Moore wasn't very familiar with the special building techniques needed for Gothic architecture.
In early 1857, Henry C. Lay wrote to Frank Wills asking for help. Wills sent a supervisor named Mr. Mason to Huntsville to guide the construction. Sadly, Frank Wills passed away in April of that year. His business partner, Henry Dudley, then took over the project.
Construction continued steadily. By December 1858, all the windows were installed. The church held its first services in the new building on April 23, 1859, the day before Easter. The total cost to build this impressive church was about $37,565.
Modern Renovations
After many years, the church received a large grant of $432,216 from a program called "Save America's Treasures." This money helped pay for important renovations. The work was finished in 2011. The church's new roof, made of 22,500 custom-made copper shingles, won an award. These copper shingles were designed to look like the old Gothic Revival style.
Church Design
The Episcopal Church of the Nativity is built in the Gothic Revival style. It looks like English churches from the 1300s. The church is made of brick and has a long main hall (called a nave) and a special area for the altar (called a chancel). It also has a very tall bell tower.
The main part of the church is about 54 feet (16.5 meters) wide and 100 feet (30.5 meters) long. The highest point of the roof is 50 feet (15.2 meters) above the floor. The long sides of the building have six sections, each with strong supports called buttresses. Every section has a window with fancy stone patterns called tracery. These patterns create two pointed arches topped by a four-leaf shape.
The front of the church has a large window, about 8 feet (2.4 meters) wide and 15 feet (4.6 meters) tall, above the main entrance. The bell tower is very tall, reaching 151 feet (46 meters) to the top of its eight-sided spire. It is 18 feet (5.5 meters) square at its base. The tower also has tall, narrow windows and three-leaf shaped windows.
Inside the Church
You enter the church through double wooden doors that are likely the original ones. These doors are set inside a pointed archway. Inside, the walls are made of plastered brick. The floors are made of a strong wood called heart pine, which is covered with carpet.
The ceiling is made of wood panels. You can see the strong oak beams that support the roof, forming an arched pattern. The apse, which is the curved or angled part at the end of the church, has three large windows with beautiful stained and painted glass. The ceiling in the apse is curved and has decorative ribs. These ribs are decorated and have special plaster designs where they meet.
See also
