Society of the Congregational Church of Great Barrington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Society of the Congregational Church of Great Barrington
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2006 photo
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Great Barrington, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1883 |
| Architect | William C. Brocklesby et al. |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 92000999 |
| Added to NRHP | August 20, 1992 |
The Society of the Congregational Church of Great Barrington is an important historical building. It is also known as the First Congregational Church of Great Barrington. You can find it at 241 and 251 Main Street in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. This church is the fourth building used by a group of people who first met way back in 1743.
Contents
A Look at the Church's History
How the Church Began
The church community started in 1743. It was founded by Samuel Hopkins. He was an early supporter of a religious idea called New Divinity.
Building the Current Church
In 1883, the church building you see today was finished. This happened after a fire destroyed most of the older church. That previous building was made of local stone in 1859.
In the same year, 1883, the Hopkins family gave the church a house. This house became the parish hall, a place for church activities. It was also built with local stone and designed by Peabody & Stearns. The building was moved from across the street to its current spot next to the church.
Important Connections
In the 1880s, the church helped one of its members, W. E. B. Du Bois, attend Fisk University. He later became a very famous writer and civil rights leader. In 1992, the church building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historical site.
Understanding the Church's Design
Where the Church is Located
The church stands right in the middle of downtown Great Barrington. It faces west toward Main Street. The church, along with its minister's house (manse) and carriage house, are all built from limestone found nearby.
Key Features of the Building
The church is two stories tall. It has a long main area called a nave. The walls of the nave are supported by strong buttresses. Its roof is very steep and covered with slate tiles.
A tall tower, about 116 feet (35 meters) high, rises from the southwest corner. It has a pointed roof that flares out at the bottom. The church was built in 1883. It used some parts from the older 1859 church, which was also made from stone from the same quarry. The older church was destroyed by fire in 1882.
Who Designed the Buildings
The church was designed by William C. Brocklesby. He was an architect from Hartford, Connecticut. The manse and carriage barn were added in 1884. They were designed by Peabody and Stearns from Boston.
Well-Known Members of the Church
- David Leavitt
- W. E. B. Du Bois
- Mary Silvina Burghardt Du Bois
See also
