Winterport Congregational Church facts for kids
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Winterport Congregational Church
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 177 Main St., Winterport, Maine |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1831 |
| Architect | Calvin Ryder |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Part of | Winterport Historic District (ID75000112) |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000151 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 24, 1973 |
| Designated CP | October 3, 1975 |
The Winterport Congregational Church is a very old and special building located at 177 Main Street in Winterport, Maine. It was first known as the Winterport Union Meeting House. This church was built way back in 1831.
It is a great example of Gothic Revival architecture, which is a style that looks like old European churches. A famous local architect and builder named Calvin Ryder designed and built it. Because of its history and unique design, the church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. This means it's recognized as an important historical place in the United States.
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About the Church Building
The Winterport Congregational Church stands in the middle of Winterport's village. You can find it on the west side of Main Street. It is set back from the road, with steps and trees leading up to it. This makes the building look grand and important.
What Does It Look Like?
The church is a single-story building made of wood. It has a pointed roof and a strong foundation made of granite. The front of the church is covered with smooth, flat wooden boards. The other sides are covered with regular wooden clapboards.
The corners of the building have special flat columns called pilasters. These have panels shaped like pointed arches, which are typical of Gothic style. The front of the church has a large, pointed arch window in the middle. On each side of this window are entrances, also with pointed arch shapes.
The Church Tower
Above the roof, there is a tall tower. It starts with a square base. On top of that is another section that holds a clock and a bell. Above this section, the tower becomes an eight-sided steeple. At the bottom corners of the steeple, there are small, pointed decorations called pinnacles.
History of the Church
In 1820, five different religious groups in Winterport decided to work together. They wanted to build a church building that they could all use. This big effort led to the completion of the church in 1831.
Who Built It?
The church was designed and built by Calvin Ryder. He was a well-known builder and designer in the area. After the church was finished, the different groups had some disagreements. Because of this, the building soon became mainly used by the Congregationalists.
Changes Over Time
In 1860, a clock was added to the church tower. The inside of the church was also updated around that time. Since then, the church has had only small changes and repairs. Since 1976, a local non-profit group has owned and taken care of the building. They work to keep this historic church in good condition for everyone to enjoy.
See also
