Powers Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Free Church
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Front of the church
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 Location in Indiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | Old State Road 1 N., east of Angola, York Township, Steuben County, Indiana |
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| Area | 10.241 acres (4.144 ha) |
| Built | 1876 |
| Architect | Calvin & Winn Powers |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 83000149 |
| Added to NRHP | March 24, 1983 |
The Powers Church is a very old and special church. It is located in York Township, Steuben County, Indiana. People describe it as a great example of early architecture from northern Indiana. In 1983, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical building that should be protected. It is listed there as the Free Church because it welcomes people from all different Christian beliefs.
Contents
History of the Powers Church
Building the Church
The Powers Church was built between 1875 and 1876. It cost $1827 to build. The land for the church was given by the Powers family. They were some of the first people to settle in that area.
Closing and Restoration
In the 1920s, fewer and fewer people attended the church. Because of this, regular services stopped. However, the church was still used for funerals and other special events. This continued until the 1950s, when the building finally closed.
The church building sat empty for many years. Then, in 1976, people started a project to restore it. They found that many of the original items were still in good condition. This included the beautiful oak and butternut wood. The pews and even the carpet were also still usable. The steeple was the part that needed the most repair.
Reopening and Special Events
In 1978, the Powers Church opened its doors to the public again. Since then, it has a special tradition each year. Three non-denominational services are held in June, July, and August. These services are led by local ministers. They also feature musicians from the area. Often, an ice cream social follows the service.
A Look Inside the Church
The Powers Church building has only two rooms. There is a small front room called an anteroom. From this room, two doors lead into the much larger main worship area, called the sanctuary. You can reach the steeple by climbing a simple ladder in the anteroom.
The Church's Surroundings
Behind the church, to the east, there is a large rock. This boulder remembers when the Powers family first arrived in 1837. Beyond the boulder is the Powers Cemetery. This cemetery is about 10.241-acre (41,440 m2) in size. The first burials there happened in 1839. That was almost 40 years before the church was even built!
Gallery
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Unlike most churches, the pews are divided down the center by a wooden panel.
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The podium at the front of the chapel
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A pair of these stoves provide the heat for the church.
