Union Church (Round Pond, 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 | E. side ME 32, .05 miles S. of jct. with Back Shore Rd., Round Pond, Maine |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1853 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 98000723 |
| Added to NRHP | June 26, 1998 |
The Union Church, often called the Little Brown Church by local people, is a historic building in Round Pond, Maine. Round Pond is a small village within the town of Bristol, Maine. This church was built in 1853. It is a special example of a building style known as Carpenter Gothic architecture. It's one of only a few churches like it in the entire state of Maine! Because of its unique history and design, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.
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What the Union Church Looks Like
The Union Church is located on the east side of Maine State Route 32. It's just a short distance south of where Route 32 meets Back Shore Road. This church is a single-story building made of wood. It has a pointed, or "gabled," roof and its sides are covered with vertical wooden boards. The church sits on a strong foundation made of granite stone.
The Church Tower and Windows
On top of the roof, there is a two-part square tower. The top part of the tower holds a bell. This bell section has special openings shaped like pointed arches. These openings have wooden slats, called louvers, that let sound out. The tower is topped with a pyramid-shaped roof. At the very peak of this roof, there is a decorative piece called a finial.
The windows of the church are also interesting. They are sash windows, which means they slide open. These windows are set into openings that are shaped like pointed arches, just like the bell tower openings. Above each window, there is a decorative molding. The main entrance to the church is in the middle of the front wall, which faces west. This entrance is also set within a pointed-arch opening, similar to the windows.
Inside the Church
When you go inside the Union Church, you can still see some of its original features. However, many parts of the inside were updated around the early 1900s. This means the church has a mix of old and slightly newer designs inside.
History of the Union Church
The Union Church was built in 1853 for a group of people who belonged to different Christian faiths. Over time, it was also used by Baptist and Seventh-day Adventist church groups in the 1800s.
Times of Change
During the American Civil War (which happened from 1861 to 1865), the church was not used for a while. But in the 1870s, it was brought back to life! It became a summer church that welcomed people from all different Christian backgrounds. This made it a "non-denominational" church, meaning it wasn't tied to one specific church group.
Why This Church is Special
There are other churches in Maine that were built in the Gothic Revival style. However, the Union Church is special because it's a smaller, simpler building made of wood. Most other Gothic Revival churches that are still in good condition were designed by professional architects. The Union Church stands out as a beautiful example of this style built on a more modest scale.
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