Grace Episcopal Church (Medford, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Grace Episcopal Church
|
|
_-_north_facade.JPG)
Grace Episcopal Church
|
|
| Location | 160 High St. Medford, Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| 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. A beautiful stained glass window by John LaFarge is also inside. This church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historical building.
Contents
Grace Episcopal Church: A Historic Building
The Grace Episcopal Church is part of the Episcopal Church. This church was designed by H. H. Richardson. He was a very important American architect. Another artist, John LaFarge, created a beautiful stained glass window for the church. The church is located at 160 High Street in Medford, Massachusetts. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
Building the Church
Construction of the church began in 1867 and finished in 1869. It is one of the first churches Richardson ever designed. In fact, it is the oldest of his churches that is still standing today.
When they started building, they realized it would cost more money than they had. A family called the Brooks family helped pay the rest of the costs. Because of their help, the church was first a private chapel. Later, in 1873, the family gave the church to the local parish. After that, it was officially blessed by the Bishop of Maine.
What Does the Church Look Like?
The church is built in a style called picturesque Gothic. This means it looks like an old, charming castle or a building from a storybook. It has a tall steeple that is about 90-foot (27 m) high. The steeple has a square base and an eight-sided top.
The church walls are made from rough, natural stones called glacial boulders. These stones are trimmed with granite. The roof is very large and made of slate tiles. It is mostly gray with some bands of red slate. This big roof covers the main part of the church and a five-sided section at the back.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, the Grace Episcopal Church has been changed and updated many times.
- In 1882, a Sunday school annex was added. This gave more space for children's classes.
- In 1883, the inside of the main church area was redecorated.
- More additions were made in 1957.
- In 1962, the chancel (the area around the altar) was changed. 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 (where the preacher stands) is left from Richardson's original design inside the church. The famous stained glass window by John LaFarge is called "Rebecca at the Well." It is in the middle of the south wall of the church. It was likely put in place around 1884 or 1885.
Images for kids
-
West facade
-
Steeple detail
_-_west_facade.JPG)
_-_steeple_detail.JPG)
See also
