Shopiere Congregational Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Shopiere Congregational Church
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 Location in Wisconsin
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Shopiere, Wisconsin |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1853 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 76000078 |
| Added to NRHP | August 13, 1976 |
The Shopiere Congregational Church is a very old and special church located in Shopiere, Wisconsin, in the United States. It was built a long time ago, in 1853. Because of its history and unique style, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. This means it's an important building that should be protected.
Contents
Shopiere Church: A Historic Building
This church has a rich history, starting almost 170 years ago. It's known for its interesting design and for being one of the oldest churches still in use in its area.
How the Church Started
The church community in Shopiere began in 1844. A minister named Reverend Stephen Peet traveled from Beloit to help start it. At first, the church members met in a small log schoolhouse. Later, they built a small chapel where they could gather. This chapel was located at the south end of where the main church building stands today.
Building the Church
Work on the main part of the church building started in 1850. The walls were made from rough-cut limestone. This stone was dug up right there in the local area.
Church Design and Style
The church's style is called Greek Revival. This style was popular in the 1800s and was inspired by ancient Greek temples. You can see this in the shape of the roof and the decorative boards, like the frieze and entablature, near the roofline.
The main part of the church was finished in 1853. It cost about $2,000 to build, which was a lot of money back then!
Adding the Tower and Steeple
After the main building was done, a tall tower was added to the front. This tower is made of wood and has two round-arched windows on the front. There's also an entry door on each side.
On top of the tower is an eight-sided (octagonal) belfry. This is where the church bell would have been. From the belfry, a beautiful steeple reaches up towards the sky. A cross sits at the very top. The design of the tower and belfry is quite unusual for Wisconsin. It might be because some of the first church members came from New England, where this style was more common.
Later Changes to the Church
In 1871, some changes were made to the church. Tall, pointed-arch windows were added to the sides. These windows are in a style called Gothic. Also, the original small chapel at the back was replaced with a new, larger one.
Famous People Connected to the Church
One of the most well-known members of the Shopiere church was Louis P. Harvey. He was briefly the governor of Wisconsin during the Civil War.
Today, the Shopiere Congregational Church is believed to be the second oldest church in Rock County that has been used continuously since it was built.
