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. It was built a long time ago, in 1853, and is known for its unique look. This church is so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. This means it's a historic building worth protecting!
Contents
A Look at the Church's History
How the Church Began
The story of the Shopiere church started in 1844. A minister named Reverend Stephen Peet came from Beloit to help start a new church group. At first, the church members met in a simple log schoolhouse. Later, they built a small chapel where they could gather.
Building the Main Church
In 1850, the community began building the main part of the church you see today. They used strong, rough-cut limestone from local quarries for the walls. The main building was finished in 1853 and cost about $2,000 back then.
Unique Design and Features
The church has a style called Greek Revival. You can see this in the shape of the roof and the decorative boards near the top. A few years after the main building was done, a tall wooden tower was added to the front. This tower has two round-arched windows and doors on each side.
On top of the tower, there's an eight-sided bell tower, called a belfry. From there, a graceful steeple reaches up to the sky, topped with a cross. The design of this tower and belfry is quite unusual for churches in Wisconsin. It might be because some of the first members came from New England, where similar styles were popular.
In 1871, some changes were made. Tall, pointed windows, like those found in Gothic architecture, were added to the sides of the church. The original small chapel at the back was also replaced with a new one.
Famous Connections
A Governor's Church
One of the most well-known members of the Shopiere congregation was Louis P. Harvey. He was briefly the governor of Wisconsin during the American Civil War. It's pretty cool to think that a governor once attended this very church!
A Long-Lasting Landmark
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. It's a true landmark that has stood for over 170 years, serving its community.
