Trinity Episcopal Church (Litchfield, Minnesota) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Trinity Episcopal Church
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Trinity Episcopal Church from the south-southwest
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 3 East 4th Street, Litchfield, Minnesota |
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| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1871 |
| Architect | Richard Upjohn? |
| Architectural style | Carpenter Gothic |
| NRHP reference No. | 75000996 |
| Added to NRHP | June 20, 1975 |
Trinity Episcopal Church is a historic church building in Litchfield, Minnesota. It was built way back in 1871. The church is known for its special Carpenter Gothic style, which looks a bit like a wooden castle! Many people believe a famous architect named Richard Upjohn designed it. In 1975, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places because it's a great example of this unique building style.
What the Church Looks Like
When Trinity Episcopal Church was first built in 1871, it had a main room called the nave and a special area for the altar called the chancel. It also had a side section, or transept, and a room for the clergy, called a vestry, on the north side. Right next to the church, there was a separate building used as a school hall.
Over time, the space between the church and the hall was filled in. This made one long building, about 120 feet (37 meters) long! Later, a tall, three-story bell tower and another side section were added.
The outside walls of the church are made with a style called "board and batten." This was a popular look for Episcopal churches in the 1850s to 1870s. The walls have fancy wood panels, called wainscoting, below the windows. There are also cool criss-cross designs under each window. These special details are only on the church, not the old hall. This makes people think they were designed by different builders. The church also has tall, pointed windows, called lancet windows, and a bell tower at the side. These are all common features of the Carpenter Gothic style.
The inside of the church used to have pine furniture. This was changed in the 1950s. If you want to see what the original furniture might have looked like, you can visit St. Mark's Episcopal Chapel near Annandale, Minnesota. It has similar furnishings from the same time period.
Who Designed It?
It's a bit of a mystery who the exact architect was for Trinity Episcopal Church. However, many people believe it was designed by Richard Upjohn. He was a very famous architect from New York City. He was known for designing many beautiful churches in the Gothic Revival style.
There are a few reasons why people think Upjohn designed it:
- A lot of the money to build the church came from Upjohn's famous Trinity Church in New York City.
- Upjohn had also designed the home of the family that Litchfield, Minnesota, was named after.
- The church building looks very graceful and well-designed. This suggests it was one of Upjohn's last projects.
- The original house for the church's priest, called the rectory, looks a bit like Upjohn's own home.
What's Happening Now?
Trinity Episcopal Church is still an active church today! It's part of the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota. As of 2021, different priests help lead the church services. The original rectory building, which is a short distance away, is now a private home.
See also
- List of Anglican churches
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Meeker County, Minnesota
