Finnish Congregational Church and Parsonage facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Finnish Congregational Church and Parsonage
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | 172 St. George Rd., South Thomaston, Maine |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1921 |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian, Bungalow/Craftsman |
| NRHP reference No. | 94000639 |
| Added to NRHP | June 24, 1994 |
The Finnish Congregational Church and Parsonage is a special historic place in South Thomaston, Maine, United States. It's a church and a house next door, called a parsonage. The church was built in 1921. The parsonage was added a few years later, around 1925. This place is important because it shows how Finnish-American culture started in this area. Today, the old parsonage is a center that celebrates Finnish heritage. Both buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.
About the Finnish Church
The Finnish Congregational Church is located on St. George Road. This road is also known as Maine State Route 131. The church is about one mile south of where it meets United States Route 1. It sits in the main village of Thomaston.
What the Buildings Look Like
The church building faces west. It has a semicircular driveway in front. The old parsonage house is just to the right of the church. The church is made of wood. It has a pointed roof and flat wooden siding.
A square tower sticks out from the front of the church. The main entrance has double doors at the bottom of this tower. Above the doors, there is a narrow window. The top part of the tower has a small, pointed roof. A part of the building extends to the back. This area holds a kitchen and a dining space.
The former parsonage is a smaller building. It is also made of wood. It has one story and three sections across its front. A porch with a hip roof covers the entire front of the parsonage.
A Bit of History
Finnish people started moving to Knox County, Maine in the 1890s. This area was one of the first places where Finns settled in Maine. Another place was Oxford County, Maine. Records show that Finns owned land in Knox County as early as 1896.
The Finnish Congregation officially started in 1921. Before that, church services were held at a local school. The church building was finished later in 1921. The parsonage was built around 1925. This church was the very first religious building built for the Finnish community in Maine.
Gallery
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Side of the church
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Entrance to the church
See also
