North Newport Christian Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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North Newport Christian Church
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | Jct. of ME 222 and Pratt Rd., NE corner, North Newport, Maine |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1857 |
| Architect | Steward, Abiah |
| Architectural style | Italianate, Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 95000726 |
| Added to NRHP | June 20, 1995 |
The North Newport Christian Church is an old church building in North Newport, Maine. You can find it where Maine State Route 222 meets Pratt Road. This church was built in 1857. It's a special example of a building that mixes two old styles: Greek Revival and Italianate.
At first, two different church groups used the building. These were the Baptist and Congregationalist congregations. Later, only the Christian Church group used it. Today, the church is not used very often. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. This means it's an important historical site.
Contents
Discovering the Church's Design
The North Newport Christian Church is a single-story building. It is made of wood and has a roof that slopes down on two sides. This is called a gable roof. The outside walls are covered with overlapping wooden boards called clapboard siding. The church sits on a strong stone foundation.
Look closely at the roof's edges. They stick out a bit and have fancy decorations called brackets. The corners of the building have flat, column-like parts called pilasters. These details show off the Italianate style.
Front of the Church: A Closer Look
The front of the church faces south. It has a balanced design. There are two doors, one on each side of a single window. Each door has its own pilasters and a decorated top piece.
Above the doors and window, in the triangular part of the roof, there's a large fake louver. A louver is usually a set of angled slats for air. This one is just for decoration.
Inside the Historic Building
When you step inside, you'll find small entry areas. These lead into the main room. This room still has its original wooden benches, called pews. There are two aisles for walking. At the far end of the room, there's a raised platform.
A Look Back: The Church's Story
Abiah Steward built this church in 1857. It's a great example of how building styles changed over time. It shows a mix of older Greek Revival and newer Italianate designs.
Two Groups, One Building
The Baptist church group in North Newport started in 1817. The Christian Church group began around 1840. Both groups first met in local schoolhouses. Around 1850, they decided to build a shared church. They wanted a place that both groups could use.
This shared idea led to the church we see today. It was built in a spot that was supposedly halfway between their old meeting places.
Changes Over Time
By 1907, only the Christian Church group was using the building. They met there regularly until about 1975. Now, the church is only used for services once in a while. It stands as a reminder of the community's past.
See also
