Union Church (North Harpswell, 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 | ME 123, North Harpswell, Maine |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1841 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 88000889 |
| Added to NRHP | June 28, 1988 |
Union Church is an old and important church building located on Harpswell Neck Road (Maine State Route 123) in North Harpswell, Maine. It was built in 1841. The church is special because it mixes two different building styles: Greek Revival and Gothic Revival. Over the years, many different religious groups used this church. Today, the Harpswell Garden Club takes care of it. The Union Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
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About Union Church
The Union Church stands on the east side of Harpswell Neck Road. This road is the main route that goes north and south through the Harpswell area. The church is in the small village of North Harpswell. It is a short distance south of Bear Paw Road.
Church Design and Look
The church is a one-story building made of wood. It has a pointed roof and its sides are covered with clapboard siding. The foundation is made of strong granite. This church does not have a tall tower.
The front of the church faces west towards the road. It looks very balanced. The main entrance is in the middle. It has columns on each side with pointed arch designs. Above the door is a decorative frame. On both sides of the entrance are windows that can be pushed up. Outside these windows are more tall columns with pointed arch designs. These columns hold up a triangular part of the roof called a pediment.
Inside the Church
The inside of the church looks much the same as it did when it was built. When you enter, there is a small area called a vestibule. From here, two doors lead into the main part of the church, called the nave. The nave has long wooden benches, known as pews. These pews have low doors that people used to enter their seats.
History of Union Church
The Union Church is believed to have been built in 1841. It is not completely clear which religious groups used it first. The only record from that time is a promise from December 1840. Thirty local residents agreed to buy pews in the church that was being planned.
Who Used the Church?
A group called the Universalist society started using the church in 1844. However, their use of the church decreased by the 1870s. After that, a group called the Congregationalists began to use the building.
The Congregationalists stopped using the church in the 1920s. The building then sat empty for many years. In 1969, the Harpswell Garden Club took over the church. They worked to fix it up and now they keep it in good condition.
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