First Church of Belfast facts for kids
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First Church of Belfast
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 8 Court St., Belfast, Maine |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1818 |
| Architect | French, Samuel |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Part of | Church Street Historic District (ID78000331) |
| NRHP reference No. | 76000115 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 07, 1976 |
| Designated CP | November 28, 1978 |
The First Church of Belfast is a very old and special church located at 8 Court Street in Belfast, Maine. People started gathering for church here way back in 1796. The beautiful building you see today was finished in 1818.
This church is a great example of the Federal style of architecture. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. This means it's recognized as an important historical building in the United States. It's also special because its design is very similar to plans made by a famous builder named Asher Benjamin. The church is part of the United Church of Christ family. Today, Dr. Kate Winters and Rev. Joel Kruger are the pastors.
What Makes It Special?
The First Church of Belfast is important for a few reasons. It's a well-preserved example of Federal style architecture. This style was popular in the United States after the American Revolution. The church's design shows the work of Asher Benjamin, a well-known architect from that time.
Being on the National Register of Historic Places means the church is protected. It's a landmark that tells us about the history of Belfast and Maine. It shows how people built churches long ago.
Its Design and Look
The church sits on a large piece of land in Belfast. It's surrounded by green lawns and trees. The building itself is made of wood and has two stories. It has a sloped roof, which is called a gable roof.
The front of the church has a part that sticks out. This section has three doors. The two outer doors look the same, with columns on the sides. The middle door is taller and has two parts.
Above the main front, there's a tall tower. The bottom part of the tower is square and has large clock faces. Above that is an open section with eight sides. This is where the church bell is, which was made by Paul Revere. Higher up, there are more columns supporting a dome-shaped top. The tower has small railings and decorative posts at the corners.
A Look Back in Time
The church group in Belfast started in 1796. The town itself was first settled in the 1770s by people from Scotland and Ireland. At first, the church shared a building with another group called the Presbyterians.
Then, in 1818, they built this church. A skilled builder named Samuel French oversaw the construction. However, the design was clearly based on plans that Asher Benjamin had published in a book.
Later, in 1868, the church was updated. Some of the old seating was removed. Gas lighting was also put in, which was very modern for the time. A separate building next to the church, called the parish house, was built in 1926.
See also
