Second Congregational Church (Newcastle, Maine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Second Congregational Church
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Location | River St., Newcastle, Maine |
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Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
Built | 1848 |
Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
NRHP reference No. | 79000156 |
Added to NRHP | May 07, 1979 |
The Second Congregational Church is a special old church located on River Street in Newcastle, Maine. It was built in 1848. This church is a great example of a building style called Gothic Revival architecture, especially for the Mid Coast area of Maine. Because of its history and design, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The church community, which started in 1843, is part of the United Church of Christ family of churches.
Contents
Discovering the Church's Design
The Second Congregational Church in Newcastle is right in the middle of town. It is a single-story building made of brick. It has pretty wooden decorations and a pointed roof, like many churches.
Exploring the Church Tower
A tall tower sticks out from the front of the church. This is where the main entrance is located. The tower and the corners of the building have special flat columns called pilasters. The tower also has windows shaped with a pointed arch, which is a common feature of Gothic style.
The Belfry and Its Details
The tower goes up to a wooden top that looks like the walls of a castle. This part is called a crenellation. Inside it is an open area for bells, known as a belfry. The belfry also has corner pilasters and pointed arched openings. On top of the belfry, there are small pointed decorations called pinnacles. These are connected by a fancy rail.
A Look at the Church's History
The very first church group in Newcastle started in 1797. The Second Congregational Church group began in 1843. They needed a new church because the nearby community of Damariscotta was growing.
Building a Community Landmark
The church building you see today was finished in 1849. It quickly became an important landmark. People traveling by boat on the Damariscotta River could easily spot it. This church has served its community for many years.