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 located in York Township, Steuben County, Indiana. It's known as a great example of early architecture in northern Indiana. In 1983, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important places in the United States. The church is listed there as the Free Church because it welcomes everyone, no matter their specific Christian beliefs.
The Story of Powers Church
The 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.
In the 1920s, fewer and fewer people came to the church. Regular services stopped, but the church was still used for special events like funerals. By the 1950s, the building was closed completely.
The church building sat empty until 1976. At that time, people started working to fix it up. They found that many of the original things inside were still in good shape. This included the beautiful oak and butternut wood and the church pews. Even the carpet was still usable! The steeple, which is the tall pointed part of the church, needed the most work.
A Look Inside the Church
The Powers Church has only two rooms. There is a small entrance room, called an anteroom. From this room, two doors lead into the much larger main church area, called the sanctuary.
You can reach the steeple by climbing a simple wooden ladder in the anteroom. Behind the church, to the east, there is a large rock. This rock remembers when the Powers family first arrived in 1837. Beyond the rock is the Powers Cemetery. The first people were buried there in 1839. This was almost 40 years before the church was even built!
Powers Church Today
In 1978, the church opened its doors to the public again. Now, it has a special tradition every year. Three times a year, in June, July, and August, non-denominational services are held. This means ministers from different Christian backgrounds lead the services.
Local musicians often play music during these services. After the service, there is often an ice cream social. This is a fun gathering where everyone can enjoy ice cream together.
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.
