Unitarian Church of Houlton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Unitarian Church of Houlton
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | Military St., Houlton, Maine |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1902 |
| Architect | Edwin J. Lewis Jr. |
| NRHP reference No. | 87000945 |
| Added to NRHP | June 25, 1987 |
The Unitarian Church of Houlton is a special old church building. You can find it on Military Street in Houlton, Maine. A talented architect named Edwin J. Lewis Jr. designed it. The church was built in 1902. But the church group, called a congregation, started way back in 1835! This building looks like a mix of different old styles. It has cool features from medieval times and the Gothic period, all made of wood. Because it's so unique and important, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
About the Unitarian Church of Houlton
The Unitarian Church of Houlton stands on the corner of Kelleran and Military Streets. Military Street is also known as United States Route 2. The church is just east of the main downtown area of Houlton.
Building Design
The church building is shaped mostly like a rectangle. Its outside walls are covered with shingles. These shingles are placed on top of a strong foundation made of fieldstone. The church has many interesting and uneven details.
The front of the church faces north. It has a large, pointed Gothic window set back into the main roof section. To the right, there is an entrance area. This entrance is under a similar, but smaller, arched space. The church also has roof sections that stick out on both sides. These are called gabled transepts.
The entrances and the areas around them are decorated. They have heavy wooden designs that look like they came from medieval times. This same old-fashioned, Gothic style continues inside the church.
Church History
The Unitarian church group in Houlton began a long time ago, in 1835. Their first church building was badly damaged by a fire in 1888. Then, their second church was completely destroyed in a big fire in 1902. This fire also damaged a large part of the town.
After the second church was lost, this new building was designed. It was created by Edwin J. Lewis Jr., an architect from Boston. The construction of the current church was finished in 1902. It has been a part of Houlton's history ever since.
See also
