Indian River Baptist Church (Addison, Maine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Indian River Baptist Church
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | ME 187 at the Indian River, Addison, Maine |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1853 |
| Architect | Norman Ward |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 88000893 |
| Added to NRHP | June 23, 1988 |
The Indian River Baptist Church is an old church building in Addison, Maine. It sits near the Indian River on Maine State Route 187. This church was built a long time ago, between 1853 and 1854. It is known for its beautiful and fancy design. The building mixes two styles: Greek Revival and Italianate. Because of its special look, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. Today, a local group takes care of the building.
Contents
About the Church Building
The Indian River Baptist Church is in eastern Addison. You can find it on the east side of Indian River Road (ME 187). It is just north of where Crowley Island Road meets it. The church is also close to where the Indian River flows into the sea.
What the Church Looks Like
This church is a single-story building made of wood. It has a roof that slopes down on two sides, forming a triangle at the front. A square tower sits on top of the roof. The outside walls are covered with clapboard siding. The church stands on a strong foundation made of granite.
The tower is not very tall and has two parts. It is in the middle of the front roofline. The tower has square columns grouped together. These columns surround an open area where a bell might have been. Above this, there is a square cupola with a pointed roof. This cupola has openings with slats, called louvers.
Front and Sides of the Church
The front of the church looks the same on both sides. There are two doors, one on each side. A large window is placed right in the middle. The doors have flat, decorative columns next to them. These columns go up to a flat, decorated band called an entablature. Similar columns are also at the corners of the building. The triangular part of the front roof is fully decorated. This decoration continues around the sides of the church. Each side has three large windows. Inside, the church still has its original wooden floors. The walls are made of plaster, and the old church benches are still there.
History of the Church
The exact start of the Indian River Baptist group is not fully known. But by 1853, the group had grown. They received the land for the church as a gift. It came from a person named Susannah K. Emerson.
Building the Church
The church was built in 1853 and 1854. A local builder named Norman Ward constructed it. Most buildings in Addison from the 1800s were simple homes. This church stands out because of its unique design. It shows a mix of Italianate and Greek Revival styles.
Changes Over Time
The church building has not changed much since it was built. The tower, which was added later, is the only big change. It was built between 1905 and 1910. By then, the church group was not very active. Local volunteers started taking care of the building. In 1986, these volunteers formed a group. They called themselves the Indian River Community Association. This group then took over owning the church.
See also
