Gustaf Adolph Lutheran Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Gustaf Adolph Lutheran Church
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | E side of Capitol Hill Rd., .5 mi. N of jct. with ME 161, New Sweden, Maine |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1880 |
| Architectural style | Late Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 97000608 |
| Added to NRHP | June 20, 1997 |
The Gustaf Adolph Lutheran Church is a special old church located in New Sweden, Maine. It was built a long time ago by Swedish immigrants who came to live in this area. The church is named after a famous Swedish king, Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden. It's considered an important historical building and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. This church has been a central part of the community for many years.
Contents
About the Church Building
The Gustaf Adolph Lutheran Church stands on Capitol Hill Road in New Sweden. It's a one-story building made of wood, covered with a material called stucco. The church has tall, pointed windows, which are a style called Gothic.
Church Tower and Entrance
The church has a two-part square tower. The top part of the tower holds a bell and has round-arched openings. An eight-sided steeple with a cross on top sits on the very top of the tower. The main entrance has double doors and a stained-glass window above them.
Inside the Church
Inside, the church has mostly white walls. The wooden benches, called pews, are dark. The area where the altar is located is separated by a carved railing. A large painting of Christ at Gethsemane decorates the back wall of the altar area.
Svea Hall
A part of the building, called Svea Hall, extends from the back. This hall was added in 1912 and has decorative metal on its walls and ceilings. It serves as the church's community hall.
History of the Church
The first Swedish immigrants arrived in the New Sweden area in 1870. They came as part of a program to help settle the northern part of Maine. These early settlers started holding Lutheran church services in 1871.
Building the First Church
By 1874, the community began planning to build a church. The main part of the building we see today was finished in 1880. It was officially opened in 1881 as the First Swedish Evangelical Church in Maine.
Renaming the Church
In 1896, the church was renamed Gustaf Adolph Lutheran Church. This was done to honor King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, who lived in the 1600s. The town of New Sweden itself was officially formed in 1895.
Changes Over Time
A house for the church's minister, called a parsonage, was built in 1886. The church hall, Svea Hall, was added between 1911 and 1912. The inside of the church was updated in 1930. At that time, the outside of the church, which was originally made of wooden boards, was changed to stucco. A small addition was made to the eastern side of the church in the 1940s.
A Sad Event
In 2003, a very sad event occurred at the church. Some people became ill after drinking coffee served after a church service. This was a difficult time for the church community.
See also
