Springfield Town Hall and Howard Memorial Methodist Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Springfield Town Hall and Howard Memorial Methodist Church
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | Four Corners Rd., Springfield, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 0.4 acres (0.16 ha) |
| Built | 1797 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 86001235 |
| Added to NRHP | June 05, 1986 |
The Springfield Town Hall and Howard Memorial Methodist Church is a very old and special building in Springfield, New Hampshire. It's also known as the Springfield Union Meeting House. This building is unique because it has been used for two important things: town meetings (civic) and church services (religious) for a very long time! It was built around 1797 and got a new look in 1851. It shows off cool styles called Greek Revival and Gothic architecture. Because it's so old and important, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
Contents
A Look at the Springfield Building
The Springfield Town Hall and Howard Memorial Methodist Church is right in the center of Springfield village. It's a two-story building made of wood. It has a pointed roof and its outside walls are covered with overlapping wooden boards called clapboards.
What Does the Outside Look Like?
The front of the building is symmetrical, meaning it looks the same on both sides. It has tall, flat columns called pilasters at the corners. There are two doors on the front. Each door has a window next to it. There are also windows on the second floor. The original front of the building is on the left side. It has three windows on each side of a door.
What's Inside the Building?
The first floor of the building is used for town activities. This area used to be the church's main floor. The old church benches have been taken out. Now, there is a stage at the back of the building. The second floor is still used for church services. It also has a special area for Sunday School classes. A tall, square tower rises above the front of the building. It has pointed decorations at the corners, which are typical of Gothic style.
The Building's Journey Through Time
The town decided to build a meeting house in 1794. A meeting house was a building used for both town meetings and church services. The building was first used in 1797. It was originally located about half a mile (0.8 km) to the east. This was near the town's first burial ground.
When Was It Finished and Moved?
The building was officially dedicated in 1799. It took until after 1801 for the town to fully pay for it. In 1851, the building was moved to its current spot. When it was moved, it got a big makeover. This is when it received its Greek Revival and Gothic features. The upper floor is still used for church services during the summer months.
See Also
