St. David Catholic Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. David Catholic Church
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Madawaska, Maine |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1911 |
| Architect | Chickering & O'Connell revival |
| Architectural style | Baroque revival, Italian Renaissance revival architecture |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000101 |
| Added to NRHP | October 02, 1973 |
St. David Catholic Church is a very old and special church located in Madawaska, Maine. It was built in 1911. This church looks unique because it mixes two old styles of building: Baroque Revival and Italian Renaissance Revival. It was the first Roman Catholic church built just for the people in Madawaska. This happened after a long time of trying, especially after the border between countries split the French Catholic community in 1842. Because it's so important, the church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
Contents
About St. David Catholic Church
St. David Catholic Church stands on the north side of US Route 1. It is located between the road and the Saint John River. This spot is close to where the first French Acadians arrived in 1785.
What the Church Looks Like
The church is a large building made of brick. It has special stone and wood decorations. The front of the church has two stories and a tall tower in the middle. Inside, there is a big main worship area called a sanctuary.
The sides of the church have sections marked by pillars. These sections have tall, arched windows. The front of the church has three main entrances. The middle entrance is the most fancy, with special stone designs.
How the Church Was Built
The church's design shows a mix of two beautiful styles. These are Baroque Revival and Italian Renaissance Revival architecture. The tower at the top has an open, eight-sided bell tower. It features columns that support arched openings.
History of the Parish
The St. David parish was officially started in 1871. This happened after many years of requests from the local French Catholic people. Before this, the land was a disputed area between Maine and New Brunswick.
The Border and the Community
In 1842, the Webster-Ashburton Treaty set the border along the Saint John River. This border divided the French Catholic community. Many people found it hard to attend church services in Canada. Church leaders in New Brunswick also had trouble working with Maine authorities.
A New Beginning
Because of these difficulties, the community pushed for their own parish. Their wish was granted by a special order from the Pope in 1870. The first church for the parish was finished in 1872.
The current, larger church was built between 1911 and 1912. It was designed by architects Chickering & O'Connell from Boston. The church was officially opened and dedicated in 1913.
See also
