South Fulton Churchhouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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South Fulton Churchhouse
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | Astoria, Fulton County, Illinois |
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| Area | 1.6 acres (0.65 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 94001264 |
| Added to NRHP | October 28, 1994 |
The South Fulton Churchhouse is a special old church building located in Illinois. You can find it on Baden Road, about two miles south of a town called Astoria in Fulton County. This church was built a long time ago, in 1879. It was made for a group of people from Astoria who were part of the German Brethren church.
The church building has a simple, traditional design. It looks like many other country churches built in the late 1800s. It's called a "cottage plan" because it doesn't have a tall tower or fancy decorations. This simple style was common for early German Brethren churches.
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What is the South Fulton Churchhouse?
The South Fulton Churchhouse is a historic building that served as a place of worship. It was built in 1879, which means it's over 140 years old! It was an important gathering place for a specific religious community in the area.
Its Simple and Special Design
The church has a "frame vernacular design." This means it was built using common materials and methods of the time, without needing a famous architect. It looks like a simple, sturdy building. What makes it unique is its "cottage plan." This design meant it didn't have a tall steeple or fancy carvings, which was typical for the German Brethren churches back then.
Inside, the church was also designed for a special religious meal. This meal is called the communal love feast. It was a very important part of the German Brethren faith. The church even has a kitchen in its basement with a stone hearth (a fireplace) for preparing these meals.
A Traditional Congregation
The people who worshipped at the South Fulton Churchhouse were a very traditional group of German Brethren. They liked to keep their services simple and focused on their faith. Their services usually included reading from the Bible, a preacher sharing thoughts, and prayer. They didn't have church music or professional ministers, which was different from many other churches at the time. They wanted to stick to older ways of worship.
A Historic Landmark
Because of its history and unique design, the South Fulton Churchhouse was recognized as an important place. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 28, 1994. This means it's officially protected as a historic site.
