Fletcher Union Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fletcher Union Church
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | TH 1 (Cambridge Rd.), Fletcher, Vermont |
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| Area | 0.1 acres (0.040 ha) |
| Built | 1871 |
| Architect | Bingham, N. R. |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 82001702 |
| Added to NRHP | May 17, 1982 |
The Fletcher Union Church is a special old building in Fletcher, Vermont. It's also called the Fletcher Community House. This building was constructed in 1871. For more than 100 years, it has been a place where people in the community can meet and hold events, not just for religious services. It's one of the few public buildings in Fletcher. Because of its history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
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About the Church Building
The old Fletcher Union Church is located in a countryside area of Fletcher. You can easily see it on a small hill near a curve in Cambridge Road. This building is made of wood and has one story. It sits on a stone foundation. The roof has a gentle slope and sticks out a little over the walls. The outside walls are covered with horizontal wooden boards called clapboards.
Building's Unique Features
A square tower stands out in the middle of the front of the church. This tower has a tall, plain lower part. Above that is a smaller square section with openings called louvers. This part is like a belfry, where a bell might be. A pyramid-shaped roof sits on top of the tower. The main door is at the bottom of this tower. There is a window with sliding panes right above the door.
Inside the Church
When you go inside, you first enter a small area called a vestibule. From here, stairs lead up to a gallery, which is like a balcony. The main room inside has a stage at one end. This stage was added in 1919. Downstairs, in the basement, there is a kitchen, bathrooms, and a space for dining or meetings.
History of the Fletcher Union Church
The Fletcher Union Church was built in 1871. A well-known builder named N.R. Bingham constructed it. This new church replaced the town's very first church, which was built in 1830. That older church was located across the street.
What is a Union Church?
Both the original church and this new one were "union churches." This means they were built to be shared by different religious groups. Many congregations could use the same building for their services. The last time the building was used for religious purposes was in 1899. A group called the Universalists used it then.
Becoming a Community Hub
In 1908, the town of Fletcher took over the building. They changed it into a community meeting house. Since then, it has been used for many different community activities. People hold town meetings, social events, and gatherings for local groups there. For example, the local Grange chapter often meets in the building.
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