First Congregational Church of Buxton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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First Congregational Church of Buxton
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First Congregational Church of Buxton
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | ME 112, Buxton, Maine |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1822 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000259 |
| Added to NRHP | June 22, 1980 |
The First Congregational Church of Buxton is a very old and special church in Buxton, Maine. People also call it the Tory Hill Meetinghouse. It was built way back in 1822. This church is a great example of a building style called Federal architecture. It has not changed much since it was first built.
This church is also famous because of a writer named Kate Douglas Wiggin. She was inspired by the church to write a play called The Old Peabody Pew. This play is still performed at the church regularly today! The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This means it is an important historical site. The church is part of the United Church of Christ group.
Contents
What the Church Looks Like
The church is located in Buxton, Maine. It sits at the corner of Woodman Road and River Road (also known as Maine State Route 112). The building faces southeast. It is a one-story building made of wood. It has a pointed roof and a strong granite foundation. The outside walls are covered with clapboard siding.
A tall, square tower stands at the front of the church. This tower has a bell section. Above the bell section, the tower becomes eight-sided. It then rises to a tall, pointed steeple with a weather vane on top. The front part of the church sticks out a little. It has two doors near its outer corners. The sides of the church have six long sections. Each section has tall, square windows. Inside, the church is simple and peaceful. It has long wooden benches for seating. The walls are covered with wood panels.
A Look Back at the Church's History
The town of Buxton was officially started in 1772. People had been living there for some time before that. The land for this church was given in 1761. A minister named Paul Coffin led the church from 1762 until he passed away in 1821. The very next year, in 1822, this church building was constructed. It replaced an older meetinghouse.
At some point, the original box-shaped pews were removed. They were replaced with the bench pews you see today. The original tall pulpit, where the minister speaks, is still there. However, it has been changed a little over time. The church is known as the "Tory Hill Meetinghouse" because of the village. This village became known as "Tory Hill" during the War of 1812. Some local people did not support the war. They refused to join the army, which led to the "Tory Hill" nickname.
The Church and a Famous Author
The church is also well-known because of its connection to the author Kate Douglas Wiggin. She lived nearby in Hollis, Maine in the late 1800s. Kate Douglas Wiggin helped start a community group called the Dorcas Society. She wrote her famous play, The Old Peabody Pew, for this group.
She was very supportive of the church and other local groups. She often gave readings at the church to help raise money for them. Today, her play is performed every year at the church in December. It is a special tradition that connects the past with the present.
See also
