First Congregational Church (Vermontville, Michigan) facts for kids
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First Congregational Church
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 110 S. Main St. Vermontville, Michigan |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1862 |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000390 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 3, 1971 |
The First Congregational Church is a historic and important building in Vermontville, Michigan. You can find it at 110 S. Main Street. This church was built a long time ago, in 1862. Because of its special history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. This means it's recognized as a place worth protecting for future generations.
The Church's Early Days: A Vermont Connection
Vermontville was settled in the 1830s by a group of people from East Poultney, Vermont. They were followers of a minister named Sylvester Cochrane. He helped start the First Congregational Church of Vermontville in 1837. Reverend Cochrane was the church's first pastor for five years.
At first, the church members met in private homes. Later, they moved their services to a new log schoolhouse. In 1844, the community built the two-story Vermontville Chapel and Academy. This building served as both a church and a school.
In 1861, Reverend Orange H. Spoor became the new pastor. The church congregation quickly grew bigger. In 1862, they started building this new church. It was meant for both the church and the community. The building was finally finished in 1864.
What the Church Looks Like
The First Congregational Church is a white, rectangular building. It has one main story and a pointed roof called a gable roof. The church sits on a foundation made of rough stones. It measures about 60 feet long and 40 feet wide.
At the front, there's a tall, square tower in the middle. This tower has a bell tower (belfry) on top. Above that is an eight-sided spire that reaches about 110 feet high. The corners of the church have strong supports called buttresses.
The main entrance is a double door at the base of the tower. The front of the church also has two arched windows with square tops. There are four windows along each side of the building.
Inside, you first enter a small area called a vestibule. This leads into the main room, which is a rectangular auditorium. There's a balcony, or gallery, above the entrance. The pulpit, where the minister speaks, is on a raised platform.
You'll find ten rows of pews on each side of the center aisle. These pews are probably the original ones from when the church was built. The wooden trim inside is painted a light yellow color. The walls are a light green. These same colors are seen in the church's stained-glass windows. Later, in the late 1800s, decorative metal pieces were added to the ceiling.
