The Temple (Old Orchard Beach, Maine) facts for kids
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The Temple
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Free Baptist Tabernacle in Ocean Park
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | Old Orchard Beach, Maine |
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| Built | 1881 |
| Built by | James Bickford |
| Architect | Dow & Wheeler |
| Architectural style | Octagon Mode |
| Part of | Ocean Park Historic Buildings (ID82000796) |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000119 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 28, 1975 |
| Designated CP | March 2, 1982 |
The Temple is a special church building in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. It has a unique octagon shape, meaning it has eight sides. This historic building was built in 1881. It is a very important part of the summer community in Ocean Park.
The Temple was created by a group called Free Will Baptists. They started a summer camp meeting in 1880. This building became the main gathering place for them. It is the only known eight-sided church still used in Maine. The Temple was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. It also became part of the Ocean Park Historic Buildings district in 1982.
Contents
What Does The Temple Look Like?
The Temple is located on the north side of Temple Avenue. It is in an area called Temple Square. Two other important buildings are next to it: Porter Hall and B.C. Jordan Memorial Hall. These buildings are also part of the summer camp meeting.
Building Design and Features
The Temple is a two-story building made of wood. It has a special eight-sided roof that slopes upwards. This roof meets at a small tower called a cupola. The outside of the building is covered with wooden clapboards. It sits on a foundation made of brick pillars.
The front of the building faces south. It has three sections. The middle section sticks out a bit. It has two doors on the first floor. Above the doors is a double window. The sections on either side have single windows. The sides of the building (east and west) look similar. The back wall has a small storage area.
Inside The Temple
Inside, The Temple is one big open room. The speaker's platform is on the north wall. The seats are arranged to face the platform. Many of these seats are still the original ones from when the building was first made.
The History of The Temple
The idea for a summer camp meeting by the ocean started in 1880. A group of Free Will Baptists met in Weirs Beach, New Hampshire. They decided to create a community where people could gather in the summer.
Building the Ocean Park Community
Land was bought in what was then northern Saco. This area is now part of Old Orchard Beach. Soon after, summer cottages began to be built. The Temple was constructed in 1881.
Who Designed The Temple?
James Bickford built The Temple. The design came from a company called Dow & Wheeler. They were inspired by the popular idea of octagon houses. These eight-sided homes were made popular by Orson Squire Fowler in the 1840s and 1850s. The Temple continues to be a very important part of the summer community in Ocean Park today.
See also
