First Congregational Church of Bennington facts for kids
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Old First Congregational Church of Bennington
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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September 2005
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1 Monument Circle, Bennington, Vermont |
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| Area | 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) |
| Built | 1805 |
| Architect | Lavius Fillmore |
| Architectural style | Georgian, Federal |
| Part of | Old Bennington Historic District (ID84000030) |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000186 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 24, 1973 |
| Designated CP | October 4, 1984 |
The Old First Church in Old Bennington, Vermont, is a very old and important church. Its church group started way back in 1762. The building you see today was finished in 1805. It's a great example of old American architecture from the Federal period. Because it's so special, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
About the Old First Church
The Old First Church stands proudly in the middle of Old Bennington. It's right by the town green, where Monument Avenue and Church Lane meet. The building is two stories tall and made of wood. It has a front entrance area that sticks out and a tall tower with several parts.
The roof has decorative edges. The outside walls are made of wooden clapboards, with special corner designs. The front entrance has three doors. The middle door is larger and has a rounded window above it. On the second level of the entrance, there's a big window with three parts, like a fancy arch. The tower has columns at its corners. It has a smaller three-part window, then an open section for bells, and a round top part.
The church group began in 1762. Their first church building was built in 1766. More and more people joined, so they needed a bigger place. This new building, finished in 1805, could seat 650 people. It was paid for by selling seats and through local taxes. A builder named Lavius Fillmore designed the church. He used ideas from a famous architecture book called The Country Builder's Assistant by Asher Benjamin.
The Old Bennington Cemetery
Right next to the church is the Old Bennington Cemetery. It's also known as the Old First Church Cemetery. The state of Vermont officially calls it "Vermont's Sacred Acre." This cemetery is a special place. It is where the famous American poet Robert Frost is buried.
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