St. Mary's Episcopal Church (Green Cove Springs, Florida) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Mary's Church
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | Green Cove Springs, Florida |
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| Built | 1879 |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000933 |
| Added to NRHP | February 17, 1978 |
St. Mary's Episcopal Church is a very old and special church located at 400 St. Johns Avenue in Green Cove Springs, Florida. It was built in a unique style called Carpenter Gothic, which means it looks like a grand stone church but is made mostly of wood. Because of its history and beautiful design, St. Mary's Church was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on February 17, 1978. This means it's recognized as an important historical building in the country.
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History of St. Mary's Church
St. Mary's Church began in 1878 as a "mission church." This means it was a new church started by the larger Episcopal Church in Florida to serve a growing community. At that time, Green Cove Springs was a popular place for people to visit in the winter. Many visitors came from colder places like Boston. One woman from Boston asked the local church leader, Bishop John Freeman Young, if a new church could be built for the people staying there.
Both the winter visitors and the people who lived in Green Cove Springs all year round worked together. They raised over $1,000 to build the church. Someone also gave them a piece of land, which was worth about $500. The very first church service was held on March 10, 1879. The church building stands on tall supports, about 3 feet high, and is only about 40 feet away from the St. Johns River.
Beautiful Stained-Glass Windows
The church has amazing stained-glass windows. They were made by Colgate Studio in New York City. This was one of the first companies in the United States to make stained glass. The windows were designed by an artist named Henry E. Sharp. They are some of the oldest American-made stained-glass windows in all of Florida.
When the church was built, these special windows cost $1,100. In the windows right behind the altar, you can see three beautiful women. They represent important qualities of St. Mary: faith, charity (which means kindness and giving), and hope. Above the altar, in the center of the round rose window, there is an image of the angel Gabriel.
Restoring the Windows
In 2012, the people who attend St. Mary's Church wanted to make sure these old windows stayed beautiful. The church has about 150 members. They made donations to help fix the 18 tall, narrow windows on the east and west sides of the church. These are called Lancet windows.
In 2013, the church received a special grant of $22,500 from the state to finish restoring the windows. An anonymous donor (someone who wanted to give money without anyone knowing their name) matched the state grant. This meant the church had enough money to do the work.
The restoration project included several steps. Workers carefully cleaned the windows. They also re-stenciled and re-leaded them if needed. Re-leading means replacing the metal strips that hold the pieces of glass together. They also repaired the wooden frames that support the windows. To protect the stained glass, it was covered with a clear, strong plastic called Lexan. This plastic helps block harmful sunlight and is designed to reduce moisture, keeping the windows safe for many more years.
National Register of Historic Places
St. Mary's Church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list kept by the United States government. It includes buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. Being on this list helps protect the church and makes sure its history is remembered. St. Mary's was added to the list in 1978 because of its unique Carpenter Gothic style and its role in the history of Green Cove Springs.
See also
