First Congregational Church of East Haven facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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First Congregational Church of East Haven
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 251 Main St., East Haven, Connecticut |
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| Area | 2.5 acres (1.0 ha) |
| Built | 1774 |
| Built by | Lancraft, George |
| NRHP reference No. | 82004349 |
| Added to NRHP | March 25, 1982 |
The First Congregational Church of East Haven is a very old and important building in East Haven, Connecticut. People sometimes call it the Old Stone Church because it's made of stone. It was built a long time ago, between 1772 and 1774, by a local builder named George Lancraft. This church is special because it's one of the few churches left in Connecticut from before the American Revolutionary War.
It's also one of the oldest stone churches in all of New England. Only a few others, like King's Chapel in Boston, Massachusetts, are older. Because of its history, the church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The people who worship here are part of the United Church of Christ.
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What Makes This Church Special?
The First Congregational Church of East Haven stands out in the center of East Haven. It's a two-and-a-half-story building. The church is built from red sandstone. This stone came from a nearby area called Fair Haven. The stones were put together using a mix of old lime mortar and newer cement.
The Church's Look
A tall, square tower rises from the front of the church. This front faces west. The tower has three main parts at its base. Above that is a section with a clock. Then comes a wooden bell tower, called a belfry. This belfry has designs from the late Georgian period. On top of everything is an eight-sided steeple.
You can find the main entrances on either side of the tower. The windows are rectangular. They have stone sills and flared tops. There's also a small stone line that sticks out a little between the floors.
Inside the Church
The inside of the church looks different today than it did originally. It was updated around 1850. During this renovation, the pulpit, which is where the speaker stands, was moved. It used to be on the long north wall. Now it's at the east end of the church.
The main entrance was also moved at that time. It was originally in the middle of the long south wall. This was a common design for colonial meeting houses back then.
How the Church Was Built
The church was built between 1772 and 1774. George Lancraft, a stonemason from Fair Haven, led the construction. He also helped design parts of the church. The church's building committee also had ideas for the design.
They made some changes while the church was being built. For example, they decided to make the building longer. They also added the tower during construction.
A War Story
During the American Revolutionary War, the church faced a difficult time. British soldiers raided East Haven. They stole silver items from the church. This shows how important the church was, even during wartime.
See Also
