Universalist-Unitarian Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Universalist Unitarian Church
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1910 postcard view
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 69 Silver St., Waterville, Maine |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1832 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000181 |
| Added to NRHP | February 17, 1978 |
The Universalist Unitarian Church is a special old building in Waterville, Maine. It stands on Silver Street and Elm Street. This church was built in 1832 for a group called Universalists. They started their group in 1826. The church is a great example of two building styles mixed together: Federal and Gothic Revival. Because of its history and unique look, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
Contents
A Look Back: The Church's Story
For over 200 years, the Universalist Unitarian Church has been a big part of life in Waterville, Maine. It has helped with spiritual, religious, and social events. The church we see today was formed when two local churches joined together. This happened ten years before their national groups officially merged.
How the Universalist Church Began
In 1798, a minister named Thomas Barnes started a group called the Eastern Maine Association of Universalists. He traveled around, holding meetings in places like Winthrop, Waterville, and Oakland. He was the first Universalist minister in the Maine area in 1802.
Later, in 1820, Reverend Sylvanus Cobb from Norway preached in Waterville for the first time. He was the second Universalist minister to be ordained in Maine. On May 28, 1826, Reverend Cobb officially started the first Universalist Church in Maine. It began with twenty members who met at his home in Waterville.
Building a New Home
By 1831, the Universalist group became more organized. They decided it was time to build their own church. A man named Jediah Morrill became a Universalist and gave the most money to help build it. On July 9, 1832, the church building was finished. It had 60 pews and cost $4,100. The church was officially opened in January of the next year.
Members raised $360 to buy a bell for the church. Jediah Morrill also gave $350 for a clock. That same year, Reverend Calvin Gardiner started his twenty-year time as minister. The church sometimes had money problems over the years. It even closed for a year or two at different times.
Changes and Repairs Over Time
In 1894, a chimney fire caused a lot of damage to the church. During the repairs, the church building was turned. It now faces the spot where Elm and Silver Streets meet. A new organ was bought. Members and church groups also gave beautiful stained glass windows.
In 1921, the church building was lifted up. New rooms called the Averill Parlors were built in the new basement area underneath.
Joining Forces: Universalists and Unitarians
The Unitarian church in Waterville was started in 1866. It had its own building on Main Street. By 1927, the Unitarian church was having money troubles. The two churches, Universalist and Unitarian, started talking about joining together. By 1936, the Unitarian church's problems got worse, and they decided to close.
Finally, in 1952, the two churches in Waterville joined. They also welcomed the Church of the Good Shepherd from Fairfield. Together, they formed the Universalist Unitarian Church of Waterville.
The Bell Tower's Journey
The church has a classic bell tower with a clock. This clock was once known as the town clock. By 2008, the bell tower was in danger of falling down. It had to be taken down and sold at an auction. The clock and lightning rod were sold too. A brand new bell tower was built in time for the Christmas Eve service that same year.
What Does the Church Look Like?
The church building faces south. It looks out onto a small park where Silver and Elm Streets meet. This is just south of downtown Waterville. It is a single-story building made of wood. It has a pointed roof and its outside walls are covered with clapboard siding. The bottom part of the church is made of granite.
The Unique Bell Tower
A two-part square tower rises from the roof. The first part of the tower has a clock. The second part is an open, eight-sided belfry, where the bell is. Above the belfry is a curved, eight-sided roof. The openings in the belfry are shaped like pointed Gothic arches. You can see this same pointed arch shape above some of the church's windows. It also appears on the front of the building, in the gable.
See also
