Methodist Episcopal Church of Isle La Motte facts for kids
Quick facts for kids United Methodist Church of Isle La Motte |
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| 44°52′37″N 73°20′17″W / 44.87694°N 73.33806°W | |
| Location | 67 Church St., Isle La Motte, Vermont |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | United Methodist |
The United Methodist Church of Isle La Motte is a very old and special church in Isle La Motte, Vermont. People also call it the Old Stone Church because it's made of strong stone. It was built way back in 1843. For many years, the church building was used for more than just church services! The downstairs part was a school and a place for town meetings. This church is so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.
The Old Stone Church: Design and Story
This historic church stands in the middle of Isle La Motte's town center. It is a rectangular building made from gray limestone. The stone blocks are cut neatly and laid in rows. The church has a pointed roof, and a tall, two-part wooden tower rises from it. This tower has its own cross-shaped roof on top.
The church has beautiful stained glass windows. These windows are set into rectangular openings with stone sills and tops. The main door is in the center of the front of the building. Above the door, a stone block shows the year the church was built: 1843.
Building the Church
Before this stone church was built, the Methodist church group in Isle La Motte met in people's homes. They also used other places for their services. The church was built in 1843 by a skilled stonemason named James Ritchie. He was an immigrant from Scotland and was very well-known in the area. Many people think this church is his best work!
The land for the church was given by Ira Hill. James Ritchie also built Ira Hill's house. The main floor of the church was used for religious services. But the basement was divided into two areas. One part was used as a school for local children. The other part was a meeting place for the town.
This special arrangement, where the building served as a church, school, and town hall, continued until 1892. After that year, the school and town meetings moved to different locations. Later, in the 1900s, the Methodist group joined with other church groups. This new, larger group now owns and uses the historic building.
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