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First Congregational Church of Plainfield facts for kids

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First Congregational Church of Plainfield
First Congregational Church, Plainfield CT.jpg
First Congregational Church of Plainfield is located in Connecticut
First Congregational Church of Plainfield
Location in Connecticut
First Congregational Church of Plainfield is located in the United States
First Congregational Church of Plainfield
Location in the United States
Location 519 Norwich Rd., Plainfield, Connecticut
Area less than one acre
Built 1816 (1816)
Architect Town, Ithiel
Architectural style Federal
NRHP reference No. 86002116
Added to NRHP July 31, 1986

The First Congregational Church in Plainfield, Connecticut, is a very old and important building. It's located at 519 Norwich Road. This church was built in 1816. It was designed by a famous architect named Ithiel Town. The church is special because it's one of the few stone churches in Connecticut built in the "Federal period." In 1986, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as a historic landmark. The church belongs to a group called the United Church of Christ.

What Does the Church Look Like?

The First Congregational Church is on the west side of Norwich Road. This road is also known as Connecticut Route 12. The church is a two-and-a-half-story building. It is made from stone found right in the local area.

Special Features of the Building

The front of the church has a special design. It looks like an ancient Greek temple. There are four tall columns that support the roof over the entrance. The church also has a tall tower with a steeple on top.

The bottom part of the tower is made of stone. It has a clock with faces on three sides. Above that is a wooden section. This part is called a belfry. It has arched openings where the church bells are.

History of the Church

The First Congregational Church was built in 1816. A big storm had destroyed the old church building. This new church was designed by Ithiel Town. He was born nearby in Thompson, Connecticut. Ithiel Town became a very important architect in the early 1800s.

Changes Over Time

The inside of the church was changed a lot in the 1850s. So, it doesn't look exactly like Ithiel Town first designed it. Besides being a place for worship, the church was also used for other important things. In the 1800s, town meetings and other community events happened here.

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