Union Episcopal Church (Claremont, New Hampshire) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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English Church
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | 133 Old Church Road Claremont, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 6 acres (2.4 ha) |
| Built | 1773 |
| Architect | Rice, Ebenezer |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000318 |
| Added to NRHP | February 1, 1980 |
The Union Episcopal Church, also called the English Church, is a historic church in Claremont, New Hampshire. It stands on Old Church Road. This church was built in 1773. It is the oldest building still standing in New Hampshire that was made specifically for religious worship. It is also the oldest Episcopal church building in the state. The church is still used today by its community. It is part of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire. Because of its history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 1, 1980.
Early History of the Church
The church community, called a parish, started in 1771. In 1794, the New Hampshire government officially recognized it as the Union Church Parish. At that time, people from the Episcopal and Congregational churches thought about sharing one minister. However, this plan never happened.
The next year, a minister named Daniel Barber became the church's leader, known as a rector. He had previously been a Congregational minister. His son, Virgil Barber, also became an Episcopal priest. But in 1816, Virgil left the Episcopal Church. He became a Jesuit priest. Later, he started St. Mary's Parish in Claremont. This was the first Roman Catholic church in New Hampshire.
How the Church Building Changed Over Time
When the Union Episcopal Church was first built, it did not have a tall tower. It was a simple building. However, it had very strong roof timbers. The tower was added later, in 1801. In 1820, the building was made longer by about 25 feet (7.6 meters). At that time, a special pulpit and reading desk were put inside. These were removed in 1850. They were replaced with the altar setup you see today. The church property also has some old horse sheds. These sheds are quite rare to find from that time period.
See Also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Sullivan County, New Hampshire
- New Hampshire Historical Marker No. 57: Union Church
