Grace Episcopal Church (Medford, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Grace Episcopal Church
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Grace Episcopal Church
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| Location | 160 High St. Medford, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1867-69 |
| Architect | Henry Hobson Richardson |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000139 |
| Added to NRHP | November 3, 1972 |
The Grace Episcopal Church is a special church in Medford, Massachusetts. It was designed by a famous American architect named H. H. Richardson. The church also has a beautiful stained glass window made by John LaFarge. You can find it at 160 High Street. This historic building is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important landmark.
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About Grace Episcopal Church
Grace Episcopal Church is known for its unique design and interesting history. It stands out because of its famous architect and the beautiful art inside.
Building History
The church was built a long time ago, between 1867 and 1869. It was one of the first churches that H. H. Richardson designed. In fact, it's the earliest one of his churches that is still standing today.
When they started building, they realized it would cost more money than they had. Luckily, a family called the Brooks family helped pay the rest of the costs. Because they helped so much, the church first became a private chapel. Later, in 1873, the Brooks family gave the church to the local parish. After that, a bishop officially dedicated it for public worship.
Church Design
The church is built in a style called picturesque Gothic. This means it looks like something from a storybook, with a charming and old-fashioned feel. It has a tall steeple that is 90 feet (about 27 meters) high. The steeple has a square base and then turns into an eight-sided spire.
The church walls are made from rough, natural stones called glacial boulders. These stones give the church a strong, rugged look. The roof is made of large, gray slate tiles, with some red tiles mixed in. This roof is very big and covers the lower walls of the main part of the church. There's also a five-sided section at the back called an apse.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, Grace Episcopal Church has been changed quite a bit from its original design. In 1882, a Sunday school building was added. The inside of the main church area was redecorated in 1883. More additions were made in 1957.
In 1962, the front part of the church, called the chancel, was updated. Richardson's original altar was moved to the Brooklyn Museum. In the early 1970s, the dark wood inside the church was replaced with brighter wood. Today, only the pulpit, which is where the speaker stands, remains from Richardson's original interior design.
The famous stained glass window by John LaFarge is called "Rebecca at the Well." It is located in the middle of the south wall of the church's main area. This beautiful window was likely put in place around 1884 or 1885.
Gallery
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West side of the church
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A closer look at the church steeple
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See also
