St. Thomas Episcopal Church (Amenia Union, New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Thomas Episcopal Church |
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Northwest elevation and south profile,
with carriage step in foreground, 2008 |
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Episcopal Church in the United States of America |
| Leadership | The Rev. AJ Stack |
| Year consecrated | 1852 |
| Location | |
| Location | Amenia Union, NY, USA |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Richard Upjohn |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Groundbreaking | 1849 |
| Completed | 1851 |
| Construction cost | $3,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Direction of façade | northwest |
| Materials | Stone, brick, asphalt |
| U.S. National Register of Historic Places | |
| Added to NRHP | April 6, 2005 |
| NRHP Reference no. | 05000261 |
| Website | |
| Welcome to St. Thomas Episcopal Church | |
St. Thomas' Episcopal Church is a historic church located in Amenia Union, New York. It was built in the mid-1800s. The church was designed by a famous architect named Richard Upjohn. He used a style called Gothic Revival, which looks like old European churches.
This church is special because it looks a lot like a classic English country church. Inside, it has a very old organ and beautiful stained glass windows made by Louis Comfort Tiffany. In 2005, the church, its meeting hall, and a carriage step were added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites.
Contents
Exploring the Church and Its Grounds
The church and its other buildings are on a large piece of land, about 3.6 acres. This land is in a small area called Amenia Union. The property is close to the Connecticut state line. The front part of the land is open, with the church and a meeting hall. The back part has trees. There is also a parking lot for visitors.
The church and the meeting hall are near the road. The church faces the road, and the meeting hall is behind it on a small hill. A special stone step, called a carriage step, is also nearby.
The Church Building Itself
The church is a one-story building. It sits on a stone base and is made of white-painted brick. The roof is steep and covered with asphalt shingles. At the front, there is a tower with a small bell tower on top. The main entrance has two wooden doors with pointed arches.
The sides of the church have supports called buttresses. These supports separate the tall, narrow windows. On the south side, there is another entrance with similar arched doors. At the back, a smaller section called the chancel sticks out. A small room for the priest, called the sacristy, is also there.
Inside, the main area, called the nave, has rows of seats. The floor is wood, and the walls are plaster. The high ceiling has wooden beams. A special three-part stained glass window at the back shows an old St. John. The colorful window behind the organ is the only one that is still original.
Other Buildings on the Property
The parish hall, or meeting hall, is a long building made of concrete blocks. It was built in the mid-1900s and has a similar roof to the church. The carriage step is made of large stone slabs on a brick base. Both the hall and the step are considered important parts of the historic site.
What Makes the Church Beautiful?
The design of St. Thomas' Church shows ideas from a movement in the American Episcopal Church. The architect, Richard Upjohn, was part of this movement. They believed that churches should look like old Gothic churches found in English villages. They thought this style was perfect for their church services.
One important idea was that the chancel (the area around the altar) should face east, towards the rising sun. This was done at St. Thomas'. The church also has an uneven, or asymmetrical, design. This was different from other churches of that time, which often looked more balanced. The tall bell tower and front porch are also features seen in many English country churches.
Inside, the deep chancel is a key feature. Its floor is raised to make the altar stand out. The three pointed windows in the chancel represent the Trinity. The walls are simple, and the wooden ceiling beams are visible. There isn't much decoration, following the idea that decorations should be part of the building's structure.
Experts say that St. Thomas' Church is a beautiful and strong building. It shows both its own history and the old Gothic style it came from. Many historians think it's one of the best examples of an English Gothic country church in America.
A Look at the Church's History
The church community started in 1848. Local people wanted a church after a priest named Rev. Homer Wheaton visited the area. By the next year, they had raised $2,000 to build the church. A local farmer gave $500 and all the bricks needed. Another church in New York City helped with a $500 loan to reach the total cost of $3,000.
Rev. Wheaton knew Richard Upjohn, the architect, through his work in New York City. He asked Upjohn to design St. Thomas' Church.
The first plan was to build the church out of stone, but that was too expensive. So, they used bricks instead. Members of the church helped by bringing stones, sand, and wood to the site. The wooden beams for the roof came from trees cut in a nearby town.
The church was finished in 1851. It was officially dedicated in April 1852 by the Bishop of New York.
Later Additions and Changes
Over the years, some things were added to the church. Two of the beautiful stained glass windows are thought to be made by Louis Comfort Tiffany. In 1869, a bell made in Troy, New York, was installed for $300. The large three-part window in the chancel came from England in 1875. It cost $1,085 and was put in to remember a priest who had passed away. In 1886, an Odell organ was bought for $500.
The inside of the church has not changed much since then. Most of the other stained glass windows were replaced in the 1950s. The parish house (meeting hall) was also built around that time. The outside brick of the church was painted white to protect it. In the early 2000s, the organ was fixed up and recognized as a historic instrument.
See also
