Saint Paul's Church, Chapel, and Parish House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Saint Paul's Church, Chapel, and Parish House
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Saint Paul's Church
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 15 and 27 Saint Paul St. and 104 Aspinwall Ave., Brookline, Massachusetts |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1851 |
| Architect | Upjohn, Richard; Schweinfurth, Julius |
| Architectural style | Gothic |
| MPS | Brookline MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 85003312 |
| Added to NRHP | October 17, 1985 |
Saint Paul's Church, Chapel, and Parish House is a group of historic buildings in Brookline, Massachusetts. This special place includes a church, a chapel, and a parish house. They are located at 15 and 27 Saint Paul Street and 104 Aspinwall Avenue. The church building was designed by a famous architect named Richard Upjohn. It was built in 1851-1852. This church is the oldest religious building still standing in Brookline. The whole complex was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
Contents
About the Buildings and Their History
The Saint Paul's Church complex is found where Saint Paul Street and Aspinwall Avenue meet. This area is in eastern Brookline. It's about halfway between two busy spots: Coolidge Corner and Brookline Village.
The Church Building
The church itself is mostly a rectangular shape. It has a tall tower that sticks out from its northwest corner. The main door is on the long side facing south. It's part of a section that sticks out with a steep, pointed roof. The church walls are made of a strong, rocky material called puddingstone. The main roof is also pointed and made of colorful slate tiles. The building shows many features of the Gothic Revival style. This means it looks like old European churches. You can see pointed windows, special three-part windows, and fancy stone carvings on the tower.
How the Church Started
The church community, called Episcopalian, began in 1849. It was started by William and Augustus Aspinwall. Augustus Aspinwall even gave the land where the church was built. Richard Upjohn was hired in 1850 to design the building. The church was finished two years later, in 1852.
Other Buildings and Changes
The chapel, also designed by Upjohn, was built in 1858. It was made bigger in 1880 by architects Peabody and Stearns. The parish house was designed by Julius Schweinfurth and built in 1895. Sadly, the church building was badly damaged by a fire in 1976. But it was rebuilt and restored in 1979-1980. This church remains the oldest religious building in Brookline.
What's Happening Today
St. Paul's Episcopal Church is an active church today. It serves the people of Brookline, nearby Boston, Massachusetts, and the areas around them. It is an important part of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. The church holds two regular services on Sunday mornings. It is well-known for its programs for children and young adults. It also has a strong music program with a choir. The church leads many helpful projects outside its own building. The current leader of the church is the Reverend Doctor Won-Jae Hur. He followed the Reverend Doctor Paul Kolbet, who came after the Right Reverend Jeffrey Mello.
More to Explore
- Saint Paul's Rectory
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Brookline, Massachusetts
