Union Meetinghouse (East Montpelier, Vermont) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Union Meetinghouse
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Center Rd., East Montpelier, Vermont |
|---|---|
| Area | 0.8 acres (0.32 ha) |
| Built | 1823 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000342 |
| Added to NRHP | June 30, 1980 |
The Union Meetinghouse, also known as The Old Meeting House, is a very old church in East Montpelier, Vermont. It was built a long time ago, between 1823 and 1826. This makes it the oldest church building in the Montpelier area. It's a great example of a building from the Federal period, which was an architectural style popular in the early 1800s.
For many years, different church groups shared this building. It was also used for important town meetings until 1849. The building was recognized as a special historic place in 1980. Today, it's still used by a community church that welcomes everyone.
Contents
About the Old Meetinghouse
The Old Meetinghouse is located in the middle of what used to be one big town. This area is now split into Montpelier and East Montpelier. You can find it on the south side of Center Road. It's just a short distance west of where Center Road meets Brazier Road.
What the Building Looks Like
This building is made of wood and has a sloped roof. Its outside walls are covered with clapboards, which are long, thin boards. The church sits on a strong stone foundation.
In the front, there's a part that sticks out with two entrances. A tall tower rises from the roof, right above this front section. The bottom part of the tower is square. It has openings with slats, like blinds, near the top. Above this, there's a decorative edge and a railing.
The next two parts of the tower are shaped like octagons and get smaller as they go up. The very top has a bell-shaped roof and a pointed spire. The two main doors have simple frames and decorative tops. Small windows are placed right above these doors. The triangular part of the roof above the front section has a fan-shaped design, typical of the Federal style.
A Place for Community Gatherings
The church was built between 1823 and 1826. The land for it was given by Parley Davis. He was the first person to survey and settle in the area. Mr. Davis hoped this spot would become the main center of Montpelier.
The building was used by many different church groups. It also hosted Montpelier's town meetings until 1849. That's when East Montpelier became its own separate town. The Old Meetinghouse continued to host some of East Montpelier's town meetings until 1890. That year, the town built its first dedicated town hall.
In the early 1900s, fewer religious groups used the building. But in 1965, a new group called the Old Meeting House Society was formed. They helped bring the building back to life. Now, it's used by a community church that is open to everyone.
See also
