St. James Episcopal Church (Old Town, Maine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. James' Episcopal Church
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | Center and Main Streets, Old Town, Maine |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1892 |
| Architect | Henry Vaughan |
| Architectural style | Late Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000188 |
| Added to NRHP | November 19, 1974 |
St. James Episcopal Church is a very old and important church located in the heart of Old Town, Maine. It stands at the corner of Center and Main Streets. This beautiful church was built in 1892.
It was designed by a famous architect named Henry Vaughan. He was known for building churches in a style called Gothic Revival. St. James Church is one of only a few buildings in Old Town that are still standing from the 1800s. Because of its history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The current minister of the church is the Rev. Jane White-Hassler.
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What Makes St. James Church Special?
St. James Episcopal Church is a one-story building made of wood. It looks like old churches from the Gothic period, which is why its style is called Gothic Revival. The church has a pointed roof and wooden shingles on its sides. It sits on a strong stone foundation that was actually built for an even older church in 1852.
The Church's Unique Tower
One of the most interesting parts of the church is its tall tower. This tower is located near the front of the building. The main entrance to the church is found at the bottom of this tower. You'll see two large, old-fashioned doors, like ones you might imagine from medieval times. These doors are covered by a small roof with a pointed top.
Above the doors, the tower has a special window with diamond-shaped glass panes. Higher up, the tower changes shape to an eight-sided design. This part holds the church bells in an open area called a belfry. The openings in the belfry have fancy stone patterns, typical of Gothic style. A tall, eight-sided steeple sits on top of the tower, reaching towards the sky.
Inside the Church
The inside of St. James Church still looks much like it did when it was first built. It has not changed much over the years. There was a small fire in 1952, but it only caused minor damage. This means visitors can still see the church's original design and feel its history.
History of St. James Parish
The St. James church community, also known as a parish, first started in Old Town in 1849. Their very first church building was put up in 1852. However, that building started to get old and needed to be replaced.
So, in 1892, the current St. James Episcopal Church was built. It was designed by Henry Vaughan, an architect from England. He was famous for his work in the United States, especially for creating many important Gothic Revival buildings.
Other Buildings by Henry Vaughan in Maine
St. James Church is one of four buildings in Maine that Henry Vaughan designed. The other three are:
- St. Andrews Church in Newcastle
- Hubbard Hall at Bowdoin College in Brunswick
- The Searles Science Center at Bowdoin College in Brunswick
These buildings show how important Henry Vaughan was in bringing the Gothic Revival style to Maine.
See also
