St. Lawrence Arts Center facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Lawrence Church
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 76 Congress St., Portland, Maine |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1897 |
| Architect | Jennings, Arthur B. |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000145 |
| Added to NRHP | October 01, 1979 |
The St. Lawrence Arts Center is a fun place in Portland, Maine, where people can enjoy plays, music, and other performances. It's located at 76 Congress Street in the Munjoy Hill area. This building used to be the parish house for the old St. Lawrence Church. The church itself was built in 1897 but was taken down in 2008. The church property was added to a special list called the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 because of its importance.
What is the Arts Center Like?
The St. Lawrence Arts Center is found on Munjoy Hill, a bit northeast of its highest point. It's on the southeast side of Congress Street, between Munjoy and Beckett Streets. The center has a theater with 110 seats. This theater has modern equipment for shows. While it's often used for plays, it can also be rented for other events. This includes private parties or gatherings.
A Look Back: The Church's Story
A group of Congregationalist people started a church in this neighborhood in 1854. They built a small building called St. Lawrence Chapel. As more people joined, they needed a bigger place. So, a new church was built in 1897. The design for this church came from New York City architect Arthur Jennings.
The church building was special in Maine. It mixed two different styles of architecture: Richardsonian Romanesque and French Chateau. Over the years, fewer people attended the church. It became harder to pay for repairs and upkeep. To help save the building, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In 1986, the church group decided to close down. The building was then no longer used as a church.
The building stayed empty for a while. Then, in 1997, a group called the Friends of St. Lawrence Church bought it. The main church building was taken down in 2008. The parish hall, which was next to the church, was then fixed up. It was turned into the performing arts center we see today.
