Indian Castle Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Indian Castle Church
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Indian Castle Church, September 2009
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Indian Castle, New York |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1769 |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000540 |
| Added to NRHP | February 18, 1971 |
Indian Castle Church is a very old and important church located in a place called Indian Castle, New York. It's in Herkimer County. This church is special because it was built a long time ago, in 1769, for the Mohawk people. It's a simple building made of wood, with a pointed roof and a tall steeple. Next to the church, there's a burial ground where both Mohawk people and Europeans are buried.
Building the Church
The Indian Castle Church was built in 1769. It was put up by Sir William Johnson. He was a British leader who worked with Native American groups. He wanted this church to be a mission church for the Mohawk nation. The Mohawk people were an important part of the Iroquois League. This group of Native American nations lived in much of New York State.
Who Helped Build It?
The land for the church was given by Joseph Brant and Molly Brant. They were a brother and sister who were important Mohawk leaders. Their village was called Canajoharie. It was located on the south side of the Mohawk River.
Sir William Johnson paid for the church. He also managed its construction. Molly Brant was a longtime companion of Sir William Johnson. Her brother, Joseph Brant, became a strong Mohawk military leader. He worked with the British during the American Revolutionary War. Later, he led the Mohawk people when they moved to Canada.
Why This Church Is Important
The Indian Castle Church is located in an area called the Mohawk Upper Castle Historic District. This whole area is recognized as a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a very important historical place in the United States.
The church itself is also very special. It is the only colonial Indian missionary church that is still standing in New York State. Because of its history, the church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. This list includes places that are important to American history.
See also
- List of the oldest buildings in New York
