Our Lady, Queen of Heaven Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Our Lady, Queen of Heaven Church
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Our Lady, Queen of Heaven Church in 2015
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 Location in Idaho
Location in the United States
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| Location | Oreana Loop Road Oreana, Idaho |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1883 |
| NRHP reference No. | 80001333 |
| Added to NRHP | November 28, 1980 |
Our Lady, Queen of Heaven Church is a special Roman Catholic church located in Oreana, Idaho. What makes this church unique is that its building wasn't always a church! It was first built around 1883 to be a general store and post office for the town. Later, in 1961, it was lovingly changed into the church we see today.
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Discovering the Church's History
This church building has a long and interesting past. When it was first built, it stood on a busy corner in Oreana. Other buildings on that corner included a saloon, a hotel, and even the town's school. Today, the church building is the only one left from that original group.
What the Building Looked Like
The church is made from strong lava rock. It has a special design called a false front, which means the front wall is taller than the roof behind it. This made the building look bigger and more important. A wooden cornice (a decorative molding) sits on top of its flat, parapet roofline.
From Store to Post Office
Besides being a general store, this building also held Oreana's very first post office. This post office opened its doors in 1885. Imagine picking up your mail and groceries in the same place!
Becoming a Church
In 1961, the building got a big makeover. It was carefully changed into a Roman Catholic church. During this renovation, some beautiful Gothic style features were added. These new details made it look more like a traditional church. However, the main design of the building was kept just as it was.
A Historic Landmark
Because of its unique history and architecture, the building was recognized as very important. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 28, 1980. This means it's a special place that is protected and celebrated for its historical value.
