Unitarian Church (Hampton Falls, New Hampshire) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Unitarian Church
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | Exeter Rd., Hampton Falls, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 0.1 acres (0.040 ha) |
| Built | 1838 |
| NRHP reference No. | 84000558 |
| Added to NRHP | December 13, 1984 |
The Unitarian Church in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, is a very old and special building. It is also known as the First Congregational Society - Unitarian of Hampton Falls. Built in 1838, it has a unique design called a Greek Revival temple front. This means its front looks like an ancient Greek temple. Inside, you can see amazing paintings that trick your eyes. These paintings are called trompe-l'œil. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. Today, people still use it for church services during the summer.
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About the Unitarian Church
The Hampton Falls Unitarian Church is in a quiet, country area. It sits on the north side of Exeter Road. This building is made of wood and has a pointed roof. It looks like a house with one and a half stories.
Unique Design and Features
The front of the church looks like a classic Greek temple. Its main entrance is set back, creating a porch area. This porch has two round columns that hold up the roof. These columns are part of the building's main walls. Above the columns, there is a decorative band that goes all around the church. The front wall behind the columns has two doors. Each door has flat columns on its sides and a decorative top.
Amazing Inside Art
The inside of the church is one big room with a curved ceiling. On this ceiling, you can see special artwork called trompe-l'œil. This French term means "trick the eye." The paintings make flat surfaces look like they have real architectural parts. You might see painted columns or arches that look three-dimensional. Some real 3D parts are mixed with the paintings. The inside of the church looks almost the same as it did when it was built. The main changes were adding the paintings and taking out old wood stoves.
A Look Back in Time
The church was built around 1838. It has not changed much since then. Outside, the only big changes are new electric lights above the doors. The roof was also replaced after a strong hurricane in 1949 blew the original one off. This church was built near where Hampton Falls' first meeting house stood in 1768. It took the place of that older building. The area around the church still looks very rural, just as it did long ago. The church's special "in antes" temple front is thought to be the only one like it in New Hampshire. The artwork inside is also considered the best of its kind in churches from that time.
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