Lower Waterford Congregational Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lower Waterford Congregational Church
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | 63 Lower Waterford Rd., Waterford, Vermont |
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| Area | 0.25 acres (0.10 ha) |
| Built | 1859 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 100004181 |
| Added to NRHP | July 8, 2019 |
The Lower Waterford Congregational Church is a very old and important church building located at 63 Lower Waterford Road in Waterford, Vermont. It was built in 1859. This church is a great example of a building style called Greek Revival architecture. Because of its history and design, the church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019.
Contents
About the Church Building
The Lower Waterford Congregational Church stands out in the small village of Lower Waterford. You can find it where Lower Waterford Road and Maple Street meet.
This church is a two-story building made of wood. It sits on a strong stone foundation. The outside is covered with white clapboard siding, and it has a roof shaped like a triangle, called a gabled roof.
Church Tower and Front Design
A square tower rises from the front part of the roof. On top of the tower is an eight-sided spire. The tower has two levels, and each level has a sloped roof and openings with slats, called louvers, on all sides.
The front of the church has two doors placed evenly on each side of a tall window. All three of these parts have a slightly pointed top design. The corners of the building have special flat panels, and a decorative band, called an entablature, runs along the sides.
History of the Lower Waterford Church
The current church building was finished in 1859. The church group itself started much earlier, in 1798. This 1859 building was actually the third church for this group.
The second church building, which stood on the same spot, was destroyed by a fire in 1857. So, the community quickly built this new one.
Who Built the Church?
A local person named Charles Richardson built the church. He owned a shop where he made carriages and sometimes built bridges. It seems the church was designed to be used for more than just religious services.
For many years, until 1957, the town of Waterford held its yearly town meetings inside this church. Today, it still serves both the community and the church. It hosts events for the local historical society and meetings for the town's leaders.
Becoming a Historic Place
In 2017, a group of people decided to try and get the church listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This group included a town leader, the town librarian, members of the Waterford Historical Society, and church leaders. Their hard work paid off, and the church was officially added to the list in 2019.
See also
