First Unitarian Church of Hobart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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First Unitarian Church of Hobart
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 Location in Indiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | 497 Main St., Hobart, Indiana |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1875 |
| Architect | Pollard, O.D. & Co. |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 99001112 |
| Added to NRHP | September 9, 1999 |
The First Unitarian Church of Hobart is a very old and special church in Hobart, Indiana. It's the oldest Unitarian church in Indiana. It's also the oldest church in Hobart that is still used by the same group of people who built it! This church was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 9, 1999, which means it's an important historical building.
The church building is designed in the Italianate style. This means it has a classic, simple look. What's really cool is that its design, both inside and out, hasn't changed since it was built.
The town of Hobart was started in 1848 by a man named George Earle. He owned land with a sawmill and a gristmill. To help the town grow, he offered free land for important community projects. This included land for churches that wanted to build and have a minister. In 1848, a group of 48 citizens in Hobart decided to form a society based on the ideas of Unitarians. They wanted a place to worship and to help improve society.
Contents
Building the Church
The Unitarian Church in Hobart was built using bricks made right there in the local area. It cost $15,000 to build, which was a lot of money back then! The land for the church was bought from George Earle, the founder of Hobart, for just $1.00. The building was finished in 1875 and officially opened in January 1876.
Church Design and Features
The Unitarian Church is a two-story building made of brick. It has a simple, rectangular shape with a gable roof (a roof that slopes down on two sides). There's also a three-tiered steeple above the main entrance. A small addition was added to the building in 1954-1955 and again in 1990. On the north side, there's a peaceful memorial garden surrounded by a stone wall.
Windows and Walls
The church has tall, narrow windows that are shaped like arches. Each window is divided into three sections with amber-colored glass panes. They have stone sills and a special brick design above them. The main front (south side) of the church has windows that look like they are supported by columns. The walls are topped with a flat, decorative border.
The Steeple
The steeple has three parts, each getting smaller as it goes up. Each part has a shingle-covered hip roof (a roof that slopes down on all sides). The church bell is located inside the bottom two sections of the steeple.
Main Entrance
The main entrance has double doors. Above these doors, there's a wooden panel with carvings that look like old Gothic designs. Right above the door, near the top of the roof, there's a round wooden decoration with a flower-like pattern. Below this, a square stone block shows the date 1874. This is the year the church group was formed.
Outside Walls
The north and south sides of the church look exactly the same. Each wall is divided into four sections by flat, decorative columns called pilasters. There's a brick chimney on the south side that goes up through the roof. This chimney is for the furnace in the basement. There is also a hall and offices next to the church, but these parts are newer and not as historically important.
Inside the Church
The inside of the church has a few main areas: the vestibule, the gallery, and the main assembly room.
Vestibule and Gallery
When you first enter the church, you step into the vestibule. This is a small entry area. From here, you can go into the main assembly room through double doors. There are also two single doors on either side. All these doors are made of wood and have four panels. Above the vestibule, there's a gallery. This area is used as a choir loft, where the choir sings during services.
Assembly Room
The assembly room is the main worship area. It's a large, rectangular room that is two stories tall. Both the north and south walls have four arched windows, just like the ones you see from the outside. At the east end of the room, there's a stage that is two steps higher than the main floor. There's a decorative wooden backdrop behind the stage, which was added in 1964. Double wooden doors on the east wall lead to the parish hall, which is a larger room used for events and gatherings.
