Union Meetinghouse (Ferrisburg, Vermont) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Union Meetinghouse
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | U.S. 7, Ferrisburg, Vermont |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1840 |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000227 |
| Added to NRHP | February 23, 1978 |
The Union Meetinghouse is a very old and important church building in Ferrisburg, Vermont. You can find it right on United States Route 7. It was built a long time ago, in 1840. This building has had a few names, like the Ferrisburg-Vergennes Baptist Church. Today, it's known as the Ferrisburg Community Church. Its design mixes older styles, like the Federal period, with newer ones, like Gothic Revival. Because it's so special, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. This list helps protect important historical places across the country.
About the Union Meetinghouse
The Union Meetinghouse is a key landmark in Ferrisburg's small town center. It faces west, located at the corner of US 7 and Middlebrook Road. This building is made of brick and has two stories. It features a pointed, or "gabled," roof and a strong limestone foundation.
A tall bell tower stands on top of the roof. This tower has two parts and is a copy of the original one. The first tower was sadly destroyed by a fire in 1976. The new tower has a belfry, which is where the bells are. It has special arched openings that look like a fancy "S" shape.
Building Design and Features
The bricks on the walls are laid in a pattern called American bond. The front of the building looks balanced and the same on both sides. It has two double-door entrances. These doors are on either side of a tall, arched window in the middle. This window has a Gothic style with decorative stone patterns.
Above the entrances, there are smaller Gothic-style windows. You can also see similar arched windows along the sides of the building. Inside, the church originally had "box pews." These were like small, enclosed seating areas. However, these were changed in the 1800s to more open, auditorium-style seating.
A Place for Many Faiths
The church was built in 1840 to serve different religious groups in Ferrisburg. Its basic shape and size are similar to older churches from the Federal period. The Gothic windows added a more modern touch for that time.
Over the years, many of the individual groups built their own churches. Because of this, fewer people used the Union Meetinghouse. The town of Ferrisburg eventually bought the building in 1898. It continues to be an important part of the community's history.
See Also
