Saint Jude's Episcopal Church (Seal Harbor, Maine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Saint Jude's Episcopal Church
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| Location | 277 Peabody Dr. (ME 3), Seal Harbor, Maine |
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| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1887 |
| Architect | Emerson, William Ralph; Candage, Byron |
| Architectural style | Shingle Style |
| NRHP reference No. | 86001905 |
| Added to NRHP | July 24, 1986 |
Saint Jude's Episcopal Church is a special old church located at 277 Peabody Drive in Seal Harbor, Maine. It was built a long time ago, between 1887 and 1889. This church is a great example of the "Shingle Style" of building. It was designed by a famous architect named William Ralph Emerson.
This church is important because it's one of the best-preserved buildings designed by Emerson in Maine. It was mainly used as a summer chapel. It is connected to the St. Mary's church in Northeast Harbor. In 1986, Saint Jude's Episcopal Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a very important historical site.
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What Does Saint Jude's Church Look Like?
Saint Jude's Church sits on a beautiful wooded piece of land. It is on the south side of Peabody Drive, on a small piece of land that sticks out into the water. This area is part of Mount Desert Island in Maine.
Building Style and Features
The church is a simple, one-story building made of wood. It has a very steep roof covered with wood shingles. The building faces east and west. The main part of the church, called the nave, is at the eastern end. The entrance is on the north side, closer to the western end.
The sides of the church have interesting supports called buttresses. These are placed between square windows. There's also a unique "eyebrow window" in the roof. The eastern end of the church has a large, curved window. The western end features a beautiful three-part stained-glass window. It also has decorative wood trim in the gable, which is the triangular part of the wall under the roof.
Entrance and Guild Hall
The main entrance has a small area called a vestibule. Above this, there's a tiny bell tower, or belfry, with a rounded roof. A separate building, called the guild hall, is attached to the western end of the church. It's also a one-story building with a hip roof, built with similar materials.
Inside the church, the design is quite simple. You can see the wooden beams and parts of the roof structure. The seating area has two rows of benches that can be moved around.
The History of Saint Jude's Church
The church was designed by William Ralph Emerson. He was well-known for creating buildings in the Shingle Style. He designed many buildings on Mount Desert Island. Only a few of his church designs are still standing today, and Saint Jude's is the one that has changed the least over time.
When Was It Built?
The idea for the Saint Jude's Episcopal mission started in 1886. The church itself was built shortly after, from 1887 to 1889. Wealthy summer residents who lived in the area helped pay for its construction. The guild hall, which is attached to the church, was added later in 1931.
The church never had a very large group of people attending it, usually around 200 members. Eventually, the church joined with St. Mary's church in Northeast Harbor.