Former First Baptist Church (Skowhegan, Maine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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First Baptist Church, Former
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 37 Main Street, Skowhegan, Maine |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1842 |
| Architect | Joseph Bigelow; Charles J. Schumacher |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 91000770 |
| Added to NRHP | June 21, 1991 |
The Former First Baptist Church is a very old building in Skowhegan, Maine. It was built a long time ago, between 1842 and 1844. This special brick building was designed in a style called Greek Revival. It was one of the few buildings designed by a talented local builder named Joseph Bigelow.
This building was used as a church until 1919. After that, it became a place for the community to gather. It even served as a hall for the VFW until 2009. As of 2013, the building was empty. There were plans to turn it into a place for performances and meetings. Because of its history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
Contents
About the Building and Its Story
The former First Baptist Church is located on Main Street in Skowhegan. It sits near another old building, the 1807 Bloomfield Academy. The church building is made of brick and has a roof that slopes down at the front. It also has a strong foundation made of granite.
Building Design and Features
The front of the church has a section that sticks out. This part is called a vestibule. It has three sections with two double-doors and a window in the middle. All these openings have a special rounded top, like a pointed arch. The main roof of the church has a triangular shape at the front. This part is decorated with a round window that looks like a four-leaf clover.
A Church with Many Lives
The church group that built this building started in 1796. Their first meeting place burned down in 1841. So, this new building was constructed to replace it. Joseph Bigelow designed the church, and it was finished in 1844. He was a well-known builder in the area.
Later, in the 1880s, the church needed more space. So, they added the vestibule at the front and another room at the back. During this time, an artist named Charles Schumacher from Portland, Maine might have added some artwork. However, this artwork was later removed.
The church closed in 1919. This happened when the Baptist church joined with another local church. In 1926, the building was changed to be a community center. They even built a basketball court inside! After that, it was used by the local National Guard. It also served as a meeting place for the Veterans of Foreign Wars until 2009.
After the town owned it for a while, a private owner bought the building. His plan was to fix it up and use it as a place for meetings and events.
Historic Recognition
Because of its important history and unique design, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. This list helps protect important places in the United States.
See also
