Jesse Lee Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Jesse Lee Church
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | ME 17 at Plains Rd., Readfield, Maine |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1795 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 84001378 |
| Added to NRHP | July 19, 1984 |
The Jesse Lee Church is a very old and important church located in Readfield, Maine. It was built way back in 1795. This church is special because it's the oldest Methodist church still standing in the entire state of Maine! It was built thanks to the efforts of a traveling preacher named Jesse Lee.
Even today, the church is still used for services during certain times of the year. It is cared for by the Readfield United Methodist Church. Because of its long history and importance, the Jesse Lee Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
What Does the Church Look Like?
The Jesse Lee Church is in a quiet, countryside part of eastern Readfield. You can find it where Plains Road meets Main Street (which are also State Routes 17 and 135). It's a simple, one-story building made of wood.
The church has a pointed roof and its sides are covered with flat wooden boards called clapboards. A tall, square tower with a bell section and a pointy top (called a steeple) rises from the middle of the roof. The front of the church has two doors, with a window in between them. The triangular part above the doors is shaped like a classic Greek temple. The corners of the building have decorative flat columns, and the tower also has these designs.
History of the Jesse Lee Church
The community built this church in 1795. They were inspired by Jesse Lee, a very energetic Methodist minister from Virginia. He visited the area and preached to the people, encouraging them to build a place of worship.
Originally, the church building was located a bit further up the hill behind where it stands now. In 1825, the church was moved to its current spot. When it was moved, some new design elements were added. These new parts gave the church a "Greek Revival" style, which was popular at the time. This style makes buildings look like ancient Greek temples.
The Jesse Lee Church has been a part of Readfield's history for a very long time. It continues to be used for Methodist religious services from time to time, keeping its long tradition alive.
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