Trinity Episcopal Church (Claverack, New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Trinity Episcopal Church
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South elevation and east profile, 2008
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| Location | Claverack, NY |
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| Nearest city | Hudson |
| Area | 1.3 acres (5,300 m2) |
| Built | 1901 |
| Architectural style | Shingle Style |
| MPS | The Architectural and Historic Resources of the Hamlet of Claverack, Columbia County, New York |
| NRHP reference No. | 97000948 |
| Added to NRHP | 1997 |
The former Trinity Episcopal Church is a special building in Claverack, New York. It was built in the early 1900s. This church shows off a unique design style called Shingle Style.
This building replaced an older church that was destroyed by fire. In fact, that church had also replaced an even older one that burned down! In 1975, the church moved out and sold the building. It was then changed into a home. Even though it's a house now, it still looks much like it did when it was a church. In 1997, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site.
Contents
Exploring the Church Building
The old Trinity Episcopal Church sits on the north side of Route 23B. It is a bit set back from the road. The building is on a 1.3-acre (5,300 m2) piece of land. This land has tall, old trees, especially along the driveway.
To the east, you can find other public buildings. These include a school, the library, and a memorial chapel. To the west, there are older homes, some from the 1700s. There is also a garage on the property. This garage is not considered part of the historic listing.
Building Design and Materials
The church building is made of wood. It sits on a strong stone foundation. The roof is very steep and shaped like a triangle. This is called a gable roof. At the front, the roof hangs over a bit. This part was designed to protect a bell that used to be there. This special roof feature is called a wolf dak.
The lower parts of the building have a siding style called board-and-batten. The upper parts are covered with wood shingles. A stone on the corner shows that the building was built in 1901.
Windows and Entrances
On the front of the church, there are five beautiful stained glass windows. They are arranged in steps. On the east side, there is a small entrance area called a vestibule. This is where the main door is. It also has a gabled roof. One stained glass window lets light into this entrance. Other windows along this side also have their original stained glass.
The north side of the building has three similar windows. However, their stained glass has been replaced with clear glass. The west side has a small wing called a transept. This wing has a round stained glass window, known as an oculus, above three other windows. There is also another entrance on the west side of this wing. A small addition with a slanted roof is at the south end of this side.
Inside the Church Today
Inside, the main open area of the church is called the nave. This is now the main living space of the house. You can still see the large wooden beams that support the roof. These are called King post trusses. They are natural wood and stand out against the dark-stained ceiling. Other wooden supports are also visible. They are both pretty and help hold the building up. Open lofts at the front and back add more living space to the home.
History of Trinity Episcopal Church
Before 1853, there was no Episcopal church in Claverack. Most people there were from Dutch families. They usually went to the Reformed Dutch Church.
Founding the Church
In 1853, a missionary named Rev. Fred T. Tiffany came to Claverack. He gathered enough people to start an official church group. This group, called a parish, was formed in 1856. Rev. Tiffany became their first leader, known as a rector.
Two years later, the church raised $5,000 to build a church. The Philip family donated the land for the building. The basement of the current church suggests it was built in a similar spot. Rev. Tiffany passed away in 1863. The church was finished and officially opened three years later. By then, the church had a new rector.
Fires and Rebuilding
It seems there were two fires in the late 1800s that led to the church being rebuilt. A history book from the 1890s mentions a fire in 1891. Also, when the local newspaper reported on the opening of the 1901 church, it said the fire happened the year before.
The person who designed the current church is not fully known. However, they might have designed other similar Episcopal churches. The church's style is mostly Shingle Style. Its medieval-like design also hints at the American Craftsman style that became popular soon after.
From Church to Home
The building was used as a church until 1975. At that time, many church items were sold. These included the pews (church benches), the organ, the baptismal font, the altar, and three stained glass windows that showed religious pictures. It is not known if the church moved to a new building or if the group simply stopped meeting.
Soon after, the building was changed into a house. This was done very carefully, keeping its original church feel. A new basement door was added next to the entrance on the east side. This meant one stained glass window in that area was removed. Other than that, the building has not changed much since then.
See also
