Memorial Washington Reformed Presbyterian Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Memorial Washington Reformed Presbyterian Church
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | W. Highland Avenue, Elgin, Illinois |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1844 |
| Architect | William and Daniel Fraser |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 80001376 |
| Added to NRHP | November 19, 1980 |
The Memorial Washington Reformed Presbyterian Church is a very old church building in Elgin, Illinois. It was built way back in 1844. What makes this church special is that it hasn't had regular services since 1906. Because of this, people started calling it The Once-A-Year Church. This simple building, designed in the Greek Revival style, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This means it's an important historical site.
Contents
The Church's Story
How It Was Built
The church was designed by two people named William and Daniel Fraser. They based their design on a church they knew from Scotland. The building was constructed in 1844 by immigrants from Scotland and Scots-Ireland. Many of these immigrants became the very first members of the church.
The Once-A-Year Tradition
The last time the church held regular services was on September 9, 1906. Years later, in 1916, the families of the original church members formed a special group. This group's job was to take care of the church building and the cemetery next to it. Today, this group still holds the only services in the church. They meet just once a year, every June. This unique tradition is why the church is known as "The Once-A-Year Church." The building was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 19, 1980, recognizing its historical value.
About the Building
Design and Size
The church building is shaped like a rectangle. It measures about 24 feet wide and 38 feet long. When it was first built, it sat on a wooden base. Later, in the 1860s, a stronger stone foundation was added. The building's style is called Greek Revival. This means it looks a bit like ancient Greek temples, but in a simpler, more local way.
Outside Features
The east and west sides of the church each have three double windows. These windows have green shutters, which add a nice touch. The main entrance is on the south side. It has two tall, flat columns called pilasters on either side of the door. Above the double wooden doorway, there's a standard wooden frame called a cornice lintel. Above that, you can see a sundial carved into the stone. The south side also has two windows, similar to those on the east and west. The north side of the church does not have any windows.
Inside the Church
Inside, the church has one main room. The floor is made of unfinished wood, and it's the original floor from when the church was built. The wooden pews (the long benches where people sit) and the pulpit (where the speaker stands) are also original. In 1924, a special bronze plaque was placed near the entrance to remember important people or events.
