St. George's Greek Orthodox Church (Southbridge, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. George's Greek Orthodox Church
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St. Georges Greek Orthodox Church
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 55 North St., Southbridge, Massachusetts |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1932 |
| MPS | Southbridge MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 89000579 |
| Added to NRHP | June 22, 1989 |
St. George's Greek Orthodox Church is a special old church building in Southbridge, Massachusetts. It's located at 55 North Street. This church was built in 1932. It is the oldest Greek Orthodox church in Southbridge. It also shows off beautiful Byzantine and Greek building styles. In 1989, this church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site in the United States.
About the Church Building
This church is north of the main part of Southbridge. It sits on the north side of North Street. The building has one floor and is made of stone. It is shaped like a cross when you look down from above. In the middle, there is a small dome called a cupola.
Outside the Church
The front of the church faces south. On each side of the front, there are short square towers. These towers have round wooden tops with crosses on them. The main entrance is between these two towers. It has columns on each side. Above the entrance, there is a special Greek design called an entablature. The windows on the church are usually shaped with round arches at the top.
A Look at History
The Greek community in Southbridge started this church. Immigrants who came to work at the American Optical Company formed the group in 1908. At first, they met in people's homes. Their very first church was built in 1910. Sadly, that building burned down in 1932.
The current church was built in the same year, 1932. The land for it was bought from the Hamilton Woolen Mill. This church looks like other Greek Orthodox churches built in central Massachusetts around that time. George Glynou designed the church. F. X. Lalliberte and Sons built it. The church bell was made in 1860 in Troy, New York. The Hamilton Woolen Company gave the bell to the church.
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