Shoreham Congregational Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Shoreham Congregational Church
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 28 School St., Shoreham, Vermont |
|---|---|
| Area | 1.8 acres (0.73 ha) |
| Built | 1846 |
| Architect | James Lamb |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| MPS | Religious Buildings, Sites and Structures in Vermont MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 01000211 |
| Added to NRHP | March 2, 2001 |
The Shoreham Congregational Church is a very old and important church building. It is located on School Street in Shoreham, Vermont. This church was built in 1846 by a skilled local builder.
It is a great example of a style called Greek Revival architecture. This style looks like ancient Greek temples. For over 100 years, the church also hosted town meetings. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. This means it is a special building worth protecting.
About the Church Building
The Shoreham Congregational Church stands out in the middle of Shoreham village. You can find it at the corner of School and Main Streets. It is a one-story building made of brick. It has a pointed roof and a strong stone base.
Outside the Church
The front of the church has a tall, sticking-out porch. This porch has four large, round columns. These columns are called Doric columns. They go up to a flat, decorated beam called an entablature. The doors and windows on the front and sides have flat, column-like shapes. These are called pilasters. The triangular part above the porch has fancy decorations.
A tall tower rises above the front of the church. This tower is very detailed. The first part of the tower has a clock. The second part holds the church bells. This part is called the belfry. Both parts of the tower are mostly square. They have cut-off corners with special panels. The belfry has small, paired columns. The tower is topped with an eight-sided slate roof. A weather vane sits on top of that.
Church History
The first church group in Shoreham started in 1794. Their first meeting house was built in 1800. In the early 1800s, Shoreham became a very successful farming town. This was because many farmers raised merino sheep. These sheep were known for their fine wool.
Building the Church
In 1846, the church building you see today was constructed. A famous builder named Jacob Lamb oversaw the work. He also built the Wilcox-Cutts House in Orwell. That building is another beautiful example of Greek Revival style. The church's design was a new mix of ideas. These ideas came from books by an architect named Asher Benjamin.
The town allowed the church to be built on the town green. The town also asked to hold its meetings in the church basement. Town meetings were held there until 1956. After that, the meetings moved to the local school.
See also
