Union Chapel (Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Union Chapel
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Union Chapel
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1870 |
| Architect | Samuel Freeman Pratt |
| Architectural style | Stick/Eastlake, Octagon Mode |
| NRHP reference No. | 90000677 |
| Added to NRHP | June 7, 1990 |
The Union Chapel, also known as the Oak Bluffs Christian Union Chapel, is a special church building in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts. It's on Martha's Vineyard, an island in Massachusetts. This unique building was built in 1870. It has eight sides, like an octagon!
The chapel was made for people of all faiths to worship together. This was important because the area was mostly used by a Methodist summer gathering called Wesleyan Grove. Today, the Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust owns the chapel. It's still used for services and is also a place for community events and performances.
History of Union Chapel
How Oak Bluffs Started
The town of Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts on Martha's Vineyard began to grow in the 1830s. This happened because Methodists started having summer "camp meetings" there. These were like big outdoor church gatherings. This area became known as Wesleyan Grove.
Building the Chapel
The camp meetings became very popular. So, a company called the Oak Bluffs Land and Wharf Company was formed. Their goal was to build a fun vacation spot next to the camp.
The Union Chapel was built in 1870. It was designed to be a church for all kinds of visitors, not just Methodists. The chapel has a unique eight-sided shape. Inside, it has a very open design. A local architect named Samuel Freeman Pratt designed the building. He also designed other important buildings for the company.
Chapel Today
The Union Chapel was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 7, 1990. This means it's a very important historical building. In 2002, the Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust bought the chapel. This group helps protect old buildings. The chapel is still used for church services during certain times of the year. It's also a popular place for community events and shows.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Dukes County, Massachusetts
- List of octagonal buildings and structures in the United States
