Williston Congregational Church facts for kids
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Williston Congregational Church
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | Center of Williston Village on VT 2, Williston, Vermont |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1832 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Part of | Williston Village Historic District (ID79000222) |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000194 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 17, 1973 |
| Designated CP | December 19, 1979 |
The Williston Congregational Church is an old and important church located right in the middle of Williston Village in Williston, Vermont. You can find it on United States Route 2. This beautiful brick church was built way back in 1832. Its inside was updated in 1860. It's a great example of a building style called Gothic Revival. Because of its history and design, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
Contents
About the Church Building
The Williston Congregational Church stands out in the center of Williston. It is on the north side of US 2, across from the town hall. This building is made of brick and has a pointed roof. Its foundation is made of red stone.
The Church Tower
A tall, wooden tower rises from the middle of the church roof. This tower has three parts. The first part is square. The top two parts are eight-sided and have openings for sound. A small dome, called a cupola, sits on top.
Windows and Inside Look
The front of the church has three sections. Each section has a recessed brick panel shaped like a Gothic arch. The two outer sections have windows. The middle section holds the main entrance. Above the entrance, in the pointed part of the roof, there is another Gothic-arched window. Similar windows are also on the sides of the building.
Inside, the church has a large main room. There is also a balcony at the back. The walls are lined with windows and decorated with flat columns called pilasters. The ceiling is flat and has fancy plaster decorations. A detailed medallion for a chandelier is in the center of the ceiling.
History of the Church
The Williston Congregational Church was built in 1832. The church group itself started even earlier, in 1800. The inside of the church was updated and restyled in 1860.
The Church Bell
The original bell for the church was made in 1878. It came from the Troy Foundry Bell Works in Troy, New York. In 2007, lightning struck the church. This strike destroyed the top two parts of the bell tower and the original bell. The town of Williston, which now owns the building, replaced the damaged parts. They also installed another old bell.
Restoration Efforts
The church was closed in 1899 and stayed that way for a long time. Then, in 1963, a group of young people in the town started a movement. Led by Mark Hutchins, they worked to reopen and restore the church. Today, the church basement has been updated. A small addition was also built at the back. These new spaces provide bathrooms, a kitchen, and meeting rooms for the public to use.
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