St. Joseph's Catholic Church (Lewiston, Maine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Joseph's Catholic Church
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St. Joseph's Catholic Church
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 257 Main St., Lewiston, Maine |
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| Built | 1865 |
| Architect | Patrick C. Keely |
| Architectural style | Gothic |
| NRHP reference No. | 89000845 |
| Added to NRHP | July 13, 1989 |
St. Joseph's Catholic Church is a very old and important building in Lewiston, Maine. It was built a long time ago, between 1864 and 1867. This church was special because it was the first Roman Catholic church ever built in Lewiston! A famous architect named Patrick C. Keely designed it. It's one of only two buildings by him still standing in Maine. In 1989, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's a really important historical site. The church closed in 2009. For a while, there were plans to tear it down, but people are still looking for new ways to use this historic building.
Contents
About the Church Building
St. Joseph's Church is a beautiful brick building. It has a style called Gothic Revival. This style often includes tall, pointed arches and detailed decorations. The church has a tall tower right in the middle of its front.
What the Church Looks Like
The main roof of the church is shaped like a triangle. It has a row of windows higher up, called clerestory windows. The tower has three main doors on the ground floor. Above these doors, on the second level, there's a tall, pointed window. This is called a lancet-arch window. Higher up, on the third level, there's a bell tower with more pointed openings. The very top of the tower has an eight-sided spire. A cross sits at the very top of the spire.
The Church's History
Roman Catholic church services started in Lewiston in the late 1840s. At first, priests traveled to the city to hold these services. St. Joseph's Church officially started in 1857. Before this building was constructed, services were held in an old Baptist church.
Building a New Church
The current St. Joseph's Church was built from 1864 to 1867. It was the third church that the Diocese of Portland asked Patrick C. Keely to design. Keely was a very busy architect! He designed many more churches in the area. He also designed the bishop's home in Portland. Out of all the churches he designed, only St. Joseph's and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland are still standing today.
Changes Over Time
St. Joseph's Church served the community for many years. It closed its doors in 2009. After it closed, its beautiful stained glass windows and painted wall designs were carefully taken out. In 2013, a company called Central Maine Healthcare bought the church. They had plans to tear down the church and the building next to it, called the rectory. The rectory was torn down in 2015. However, the church building itself has not been torn down. People are still working to find new ways to use this important historic building.
