First Baptist Church (Sedgwick, Maine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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First Baptist Church
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | High Street, Sedgwick, Maine |
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| Area | 9.9 acres (4.0 ha) |
| Architect | Deane, Benjamin S. |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000109 |
| Added to NRHP | April 24, 1973 |
The First Baptist Church is a very old and beautiful church building located in Sedgwick, Maine. It was designed in a special style called Greek Revival, which makes it look a bit like ancient Greek temples. This church was built in 1837 and is considered one of the best examples of Greek Revival churches along the coast of Maine. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 because of its historical importance.
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About the Church Building
The First Baptist Church stands on High Street in Sedgwick, Maine. Its front looks like a grand Greek temple. It has a large triangular roof section, called a pediment, supported by tall, fluted columns. These columns are in the Doric style, which is a classic Greek design.
Architectural Details
The building's front corners have flat, decorative columns called pilasters. These are also found where the temple-like front meets the main wall. The front of the church is covered with smooth, flat boards, while the other sides have overlapping wooden planks called clapboards.
The church also has a tall tower that rises in several parts. The bottom parts are square, followed by an eight-sided section called a belfry. This belfry has four arched openings where bells would have been. On top of the belfry is a round dome, called a cupola, and a tall, pointed spire.
History of the Congregation
The Baptist church in Sedgwick has a long history. It started in 1794 as a different type of church called a Congregationalist organization. Reverend Daniel Merrill was their minister.
Becoming a Baptist Church
In 1805, a big change happened. Most of the members, about 75% of them, decided to become Baptists. This new Baptist group then hired an architect named Benjamin S. Deane from Bangor, Maine. He designed their new church building, which was finished in 1837.
Design and Stained Glass
Deane's design for the church was inspired by drawings published by another famous architect, Asher Benjamin, in his book Practise of Architecture. The church also has beautiful stained glass windows. These windows were given as gifts by people in the church between 1892 and 1905. Some people believe these windows might have been made by famous artists like John LaFarge or Louis Comfort Tiffany.
The church congregation continued until 2008, when it officially stopped meeting. Today, the building is owned by the local historical society, which helps to preserve its history.
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