St. Stephen's Episcopal Church (Newton, Iowa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | 223 E. 4th St., N. Newton, Iowa |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1881 |
| Built by | David S. Strover, builder Joe Stevens, carpenter |
| Architectural style | Carpenter Gothic |
| NRHP reference No. | 77000523 |
| Added to NRHP | September 22, 1977 |
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church is an old and special church building in Newton, Iowa. It was built in a unique style called Carpenter Gothic. This church was finished in 1881. David S. Strover was the builder, and Joe Stevens was the main carpenter.
On September 22, 1977, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes important historical places in the United States. Today, it is still an active church in the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa.
Contents
Church History in Newton
How the Church Started
The church community, or parish, for St. Stephen's began on December 1, 1867. Reverend W. T. Currie helped start it. Before the church building was ready, people met for services in other places. They used the Jasper County Courthouse and Union Hall.
Iowa's first bishop, Henry Washington Lee, even led some services. He really encouraged the church's work in Newton. The church group officially became a legal organization in 1868.
Building the First Church
Thomas Arthur bought the land for the church for $825. David S. Stover designed the church building. Joseph Stevens was in charge of building it. Construction started in 1871.
The main part of the church was finished in 1874. However, the bell tower was not yet built. The very first church service in the new building was on April 19, 1874. Reverend J. Sanders Reed from Des Moines, Iowa led this service.
Special Features and Early Years
The church has beautiful stained glass windows. They mix different art styles like English, Victorian, and Arts-and-Crafts. The church's organ was bought for $700 by Col. Ryan, Thomas Arthur, and Lena Clark. It was first used on Christmas in 1874.
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church is the oldest church in Newton that has been used continuously for worship.
Challenges and Growth
By 1878, the church had only 30 regular members. From 1878 to 1911, the group was too small to have its own full-time priest. Services were not held often, except for weddings and funerals. The church also did not have a resident priest during the Great Depression.
Reverend Joseph Gregori helped the church grow again starting in 1949. By 1962, it became an independent parish once more. An education wing was added to the church the next year.
Changes to the Tower
The base of the church tower used to be on the northeast side of the front of the building. In the 1960s, it was moved to the other side. At that time, the second level of the tower and the tall, pointed top, called a spire, were finally added. These parts were planned when the church was first designed. But they could not be built then because there was not enough money.
Church Architecture
Building Size and Style
The main part of the church, called the sanctuary, is about 52 feet long and 32 feet wide. The education wing, which was added later, is about 53 feet long and 50 feet wide. The outside of the entire church building is covered with a type of siding called board-and-batten.
Even though the education wing was built almost 90 years after the main church, it looks very similar. This helps the whole building look like one complete design.
Windows and Details
The windows and entrances of the church have pointed arches. This is a common feature of the Carpenter Gothic style. One exception is a round arch over the entrance to the education wing.
Other interesting parts of the church's design include short supports called buttresses. There are also small decorative pieces under the narrow roof edges, called eaves. A small area at the back, called the chancel, extends out from the main building. The altar, pews (church benches), choir stalls, and stained glass windows inside are all from the church's early years.
