Union Church (Columbia Falls, Maine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
(Former) Union Church
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Main St., 0.1 mi NE of jct. with Addison Rd., Columbia Falls, Maine |
|---|---|
| Built | 1840 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 00000759 |
| Added to NRHP | July 05, 2000 |
The Union Church in Columbia Falls, Maine is a very old and important building. It stands on Main Street in this small town in Maine. This building was constructed way back in 1849. It is a great example of a building style called Greek Revival architecture.
Over the years, this building has had many different jobs! It started as a church until 1902. Then, it became the town hall until 1987. In the 1940s, part of it was even used as a gym! Today, it is home to the town's library and its historical records. Because of its history and special design, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 5, 2000.
Contents
About the Union Church Building
The old Union Church is located right in the middle of Columbia Falls. You can find it on the north side of Main Street. It stands between Addison Street and the Pleasant River. This building is quite tall and made of wood. It has a pointed roof and sits on a strong granite base.
What Does It Look Like?
The front of the building has a special finish called matchboard. The other sides are covered with clapboard siding. The corners of the building have flat, column-like decorations called pilasters. A decorative band, known as an entablature, runs across the top of the front and sides.
The main entrance is in the center, set back a bit. Two tall, simple columns, called Doric columns, stand in front of it. On either side of the entrance are tall windows. The triangular part above the entrance, called a pediment, is fully decorated. It has a small arched opening in the middle.
A tower rises above the building. This tower holds a bell and a clock. It is topped with a low, rounded crown and a weather vane. Inside, the building looks mostly like it did after it was changed into a gym in 1949-50. However, some of the original window frames from its Greek Revival style are still there.
A Look at the Church's History
The very early days of the Union Church are a bit of a mystery. We know it was officially opened in January 1841. But no one knows for sure who designed or built it! The bell in the tower is the original one from when the church was built. The clock was added later, in 1889.
Changing Roles Over Time
By the early 1900s, fewer people were using the building for church services. So, it was given to the town. It seems there was a rule that the outside of the building had to stay the same.
The building then served as the town hall until 1987. From 1949 to 1950, it was also changed to be used as a gym for local schools. In 1987, these town and school activities moved to a new, modern building. Since then, the old Union Church has become the town's library and a place to keep important historical documents.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington County, Maine
- Union Church (disambiguation)
