Union Church of Vinalhaven facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Union Church of Vinalhaven
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Location | E. Main St., Vinalhaven, Maine |
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Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
Built | 1899 |
Built by | Otto Nelson |
Architect | John Calvin Stevens |
Architectural style | Shingle Style |
NRHP reference No. | 84001388 |
Added to NRHP | July 19, 1984 |
The Union Church of Vinalhaven is an old and beautiful church building. You can find it on East Main Street in the middle of Vinalhaven, Maine. It was built in 1899. This church is a great example of a building style called Shingle style. A famous architect named John Calvin Stevens designed it. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. This means it's an important historical place.
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About the Union Church Building
The Union Church is located on the south side of East Main Street. It is in the downtown area of Vinalhaven. The church is made of wood and has one main floor. Its roof is shaped like a triangle, which is called a gabled roof. The outside of the church is covered with wooden shingles.
What the Church Looks Like
The longest side of the church faces the street. On the right side, there is a tall, square tower. This tower has a special section at the top called a belfry. A belfry is where church bells are often kept. This one has louvers, which are like angled slats that let sound out. The tower has a pointy, pyramid-shaped roof.
The main door to the church is at the bottom of this tower. A small, gabled porch covers the entrance. In the middle of the church's front, there is a wide section that sticks out from the roof. This is called a wall dormer. It has a large window with three parts, designed in a Gothic style. The side of the church that faces west also has a big Gothic window. On each side of this window, there are smaller windows that stick out from the wall. These are called oriel windows.
Who Built and Designed It
The church was built by a person named Otto Nelson. He followed the plans made by John Calvin Stevens. Stevens was a very well-known architect in Maine around the year 1900. He was famous for using and promoting the Shingle style in his buildings. The Union Church is a wonderful example of this unique style.
Why the Church Was Built
This church was built to replace an older church building. The first church was built in 1860. At that time, Vinalhaven was a very busy place. It was a major center for digging up and shipping granite stone. The new, larger church was needed for the growing community.