Swedish Lutheran Church (Monson, Maine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Swedish Lutheran Church
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | Wilkins and Hebron Sts., Monson, Maine |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1890 |
| Architectural style | Gothic |
| NRHP reference No. | 84001489 |
| Added to NRHP | July 19, 1984 |
The Swedish Lutheran Church is a special old building in Monson, Maine. You can find it on Wilkins and Hebron Streets. People also call it the Old Church Hostel. Swedish families who moved to Maine built this church way back in 1890. It's unique because it shows Swedish building styles, which are rare in Maine. Because of its history and design, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. Today, this historic church is used by the Areopagus II America Institute (AIIA). This group is a Christian organization that studies and explains religious beliefs.
Contents
What the Church Looks Like
The church building is on the western corner of Hebron and Wilkins Streets. These are quiet streets in the middle of Monson, Maine. The building faces northeast. It is a single-story building made of wood. It has a pointed roof and a classic Gothic style.
Special Design Features
A small entrance area sticks out from the main building. It has its own smaller pointed roof. On top of this entrance is a two-part square tower. The main door has tall, pointed windows on each side. There is also a small round window above the door.
The Tower and Windows
The bottom part of the tower has flat panels. The top part holds the bell. It has two pointed, arched openings on each side. These openings have slats, like shutters. The tower is topped with an eight-sided steeple. The windows on the sides of the church are also tall and pointed. They each have a small pointed roof above them.
History of the Church
Many people moved to the Monson area in the mid-1870s. They came to work in the nearby slate quarries. Most of these new residents were from Sweden. They built this church in 1890. It was a place for their community to worship. The Swedish immigrants had different Christian beliefs.
Changes Over Time
In 1892, the Methodists, one of the groups, started their own church. After that, the Swedish Lutheran Church was used only by Swedish Lutheran members. From 1946 to 1970, the building became the local American Legion chapter. This is a group for military veterans.
New Uses for the Building
Later, the building was used as a hostel for a while. A hostel is a place where travelers can stay cheaply. This one served hikers on the famous Appalachian Trail. Since 1991, the building has been the study center for the Areopagus II America Institute (AIIA). This organization focuses on explaining and defending Christian beliefs.
See Also
