South Tunbridge Methodist Episcopal Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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South Tunbridge Methodist Episcopal Church
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South Tunbridge Methodist Episcopal Church
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | VT 110, 1/3 mi. N of Royalton town line, Tunbridge, Vermont |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1833 |
| Architect | Hutchinson, William; Colburn, E. |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| MPS | Religious Buildings, Sites and Structures in Vermont MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 01000215 |
| Added to NRHP | March 2, 2001 |
The South Tunbridge Methodist Episcopal Church is a very old church in Tunbridge, Vermont. It sits on Vermont Route 110, a little north of the Royalton town line. This church was built in 1833. It is a great example of a building from the late Federal period. For many years, it was a very important place for social and community life in southern Tunbridge. In 2001, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a special building worth protecting.
Contents
What Does the Church Look Like?
The South Tunbridge Methodist Episcopal Church faces east. It is on the west side of Vermont 110. The church sits on a small hill. From there, you can see the road and the nearby First Branch White River. This church is one of two public buildings in this quiet area. A community hall from the 1920s is located just south of it.
Building Materials and Shape
The church is a single-story building made of brick. It has a pointed roof and a stone foundation. On top of the roof, there is a square tower. This tower is made of wood siding. It has a flat roof with decorative edges. The tower also has arched openings with slats for the bells.
Front of the Church
The front of the church has three sections. It is set up in a balanced way. There are two entrances, one on each side of a central window on the ground floor. Above these, there are three more windows. The windows on the second level are set back a bit. They have special brickwork above them that looks like a sunburst. The bottom parts of these windows are made from bricks shaped like an "ogee," which is a fancy S-curve. The windows on the sides of the church look the same.
Inside the Church
Inside, the church has an entrance area. Above this area, there used to be a balcony, but it is now closed off. The main hall has a ceiling made of pressed tin. At the back of the hall, there is a raised area for the preacher.
History of the South Tunbridge Church
Before this church was built, Methodists in the area met in an old house. This house was known as the "old parsonage." It was a short distance north of where the church stands now.
Who Built the Church?
The church was built in 1833. The builders were William Hutchinson and E. Colburn. The way the bricks are laid and the unique sunburst designs make this church special. It stands out from other buildings from the Federal period in the area.
A Busy Community Hub
For most of the 1800s, South Tunbridge was a busy place. It had a school, a post office, and mills for sawing wood and grinding grain. There was also a blacksmith shop. The church was a very important part of local life. It hosted many dinners and other social events for the community.
See also
