Government Street Presbyterian Church facts for kids
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Government Street Presbyterian Church
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Government Street Presbyterian Church in 2007.
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 Location in Mobile, Alabama
Location in Alabama
Location in the United States
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| Location | 300 Government Street Mobile, Alabama, USA |
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| Built | 1836-37 |
| Architect | James Gallier, James Dakin, and Charles Dakin |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 92001885 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 5, 1992 |
| Designated NHL | October 5, 1992 |
The Government Street Presbyterian Church in Mobile, Alabama, is a famous church that looks like an ancient Greek temple. It is one of the best-preserved examples of Greek Revival architecture in the United States. Because of its beauty and historical importance, it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1992.
The church was designed by a team of three architects: James Gallier Sr., James H. Dakin, and Charles Dakin. This same team also designed another famous Mobile building, Barton Academy, which is just a short walk away.
Contents
A Church Through Time
The church's story began in 1831 when its congregation first formed. They started by meeting in a simple wooden building. But they had bigger plans.
Building a Masterpiece
In 1835, the church bought a piece of land on the corner of Government and Jackson Streets for $10,000, which was a lot of money at the time. A wealthy church member named Henry Hitchcock helped pay for much of the construction.
Construction on the new brick church started on February 13, 1836. The work moved quickly, and by March 1837, the main structure was finished. One of the architects, Charles Dakin, even got married inside the new sanctuary before it was officially opened. The total building cost was $60,000.
Changes and Updates
Over the years, the church has gone through several changes.
- A Shocking Event: In 1852, lightning struck the church's tall steeple. The damage was so bad that the steeple had to be removed. Even though the women of the church started a group to raise money to rebuild it, it was never replaced.
- New Technology: In 1898, the old gas lights were replaced with new electric lighting.
- Making More Room: In 1905, an addition was built onto the back of the church to create more space for Sunday School. The new section was carefully designed to match the original building's style. Around this time, the clear glass windows in the main sanctuary were replaced with colorful stained glass.
- More Additions: After a hurricane in 1916 caused some damage, the church decided to expand again. Another section was added to the back, making the building even larger.
A Look at the Design
The design of the church was inspired by the work of famous architects like Ithiel Town. Even though we don't know who designed which part, experts believe James Gallier and Charles Dakin designed the outside, while the Dakin brothers designed the inside.
The Exterior: A Greek Temple
The outside of the church is made of brick covered with stucco, a type of plaster that is scored to look like large stone blocks. The front entrance looks like a classic Greek porch, with two large columns set between two side walls. This is known as a distyle in antis portico.
The building sits on a raised basement with granite foundations and steps. The granite was brought all the way from New England by ship in 1836.
The Interior: Amazing Details
The inside of the church is special because it has barely been changed since it was first built. The main room, or sanctuary, has a high balcony that wraps around three sides in a U-shape. This balcony is held up by beautiful columns designed in the Corinthian style.
The front of the balcony is decorated with a pattern called a Greek key. Behind the altar, there is a large, impressive screen that looks like a monument from ancient Greece. The ceiling is also very detailed, with a pattern of sunken diamond shapes.
The Mighty Church Organ
In 2000, the church decided to replace its old organ from 1903. They chose a company from the Czech Republic, Rieger-Kloss, to build a brand new one.
The result is a massive instrument with 62 sets of pipes, called ranks. It is played using a large console with four keyboards for the hands and a pedalboard for the feet. The organ was designed to look and sound perfect in the historic sanctuary. It's so powerful it can be used for church services, choir concerts, and professional organ performances.
The Church Today
Government Street Presbyterian Church is an active church with over 480 members. It is part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
The church is very involved in its community. For over 22 years, its Coffee Club has served breakfast to homeless people every day. Members also help with programs like Meals on Wheels and support local schools. The church continues to be an important spiritual and community center in downtown Mobile.
See also
