Union Church (Buckfield, Maine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Union Church
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | Off ME 140, Buckfield, Maine |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1832 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000245 |
| Added to NRHP | June 22, 1980 |
The Union Church is an old and important building in Buckfield, Maine. It was built a long time ago, between 1831 and 1832. This church is special because it mixes two old building styles: Federal and Gothic Revival. For a while, it was even used as Buckfield's town hall! Today, the town of Buckfield takes care of it. In 1980, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's a really important historical site.
Contents
What Does the Union Church Look Like?
The Union Church stands on the east side of High Street. It is on a hill north of the center of Buckfield. This building is made of wood and has one story. It has a pointed roof and a strong foundation made of granite.
The Church Tower
The church has a tall tower with a steeple. The front of the church faces south. It has three main sections that are the same on both sides. The middle section sticks out and holds up the tower.
Entrances and Windows
On each side of the middle section, there are matching entrances. These doors have a classic Federal style. Above each door is a window shaped like a Gothic arch. The very center of the church has a tall Gothic-arched window. Above this window, the roof forms a pointed shape.
Tower Details
The first part of the tower is tall and square. It also has a Gothic-arched window on the front. A decorative edge sits at the top of this section. Above this, the tower becomes an eight-sided belfry. This belfry has arched openings where the bell hangs. Finally, a steeple rises from the belfry. It starts with a smaller, eight-sided section with vents. The sides and back of the church each have three Gothic-arched windows.
History of the Union Church
The Union Church was built between 1831 and 1832. When it was new, different religious groups used it. Over time, fewer people used the church. It started to fall apart in the late 1800s.
How John Davis Long Helped
A man named John Davis Long grew up in Buckfield. He became famous and wanted to help his hometown. He gave money to fix the church. But there was a condition: the town had to buy it and use it as their town hall. John Davis Long also paid for the bell that is still in the tower today.
Later Years and Restoration
After being used as a town hall, the building again started to need repairs. A local group stepped in to help. In the late 1970s, a big project took place to fix up the church. This helped save the building for future generations.
See also
