Old Christ Church (Bethel, Vermont)

Old Christ Church

Old Christ Church
Location Jct. of VT 12 and Gilead Brook Rd., Bethel, Vermont
Coordinates 43°52′30″N 72°38′51″W / 43.87500°N 72.64750°W / 43.87500; -72.64750Coordinates: 43°52′30″N 72°38′51″W / 43.87500°N 72.64750°W / 43.87500; -72.64750
Area 2.5 acres (1.0 ha)
Built 1823 (1823)
Architect Warren, Col. David
Architectural style Federal
MPS Religious Buildings, Sites and Structures in Vermont MPS
NRHP Reference # 08000159[1]
Added to NRHP March 06, 2008

Old Christ Church is a historic Episcopal church at the junction of Vermont Route 12 and Gilead Brook Road in Bethel, Vermont. Built in 1823, it is a well-preserved Federal period church, lacking modern amenities such as electricity and plumbing. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.[1] It is used for services only during the summer.

Description and history

Old Christ Church stands on the east side of Vermont Route 12 in what is now a rural area of northern Bethel. It is just north of Gilead Brook, with a cemetery standing behind it. The church is a single-story wood frame structure, with a gabled roof and clapboarded exterior. A square tower rises above the roof line, with a simple first stage topped by an open belfry. The main facade is symmetrical, with a pair of entrances, each flanked by pilasters and topped by a corniced entablature. Above each doorway is a sash window, topped by a corniced lintel. The gable end is fully pedimented, with a half-oval window at the center of the gable. The interior has a vestibule with stairs leading to a choir loft, and features original box pews in the main sanctuary. It no longer has its original raised pulpit, which was probably removed during renovations in the 1880s.[2]

The town of Bethel was chartered in 1779, and an Episcopal congregation including the town was organized in 1794. It met for nearly twenty years in a variety of facilities, mostly those of its parishioners or of a schoolhouse that stood on the site of the present church. This church was built in 1823-24 by Colonel David Warren on land donated by Simeon Chase, who spearheaded the drive for its construction. It is one of Vermont's finest examples of a pure high Federal style church. Enrollment declined as churches in town centers were built, and the building was sold in 1852 to a Methodist congregation. It was repurchased in 1871 by the Episcopal congregation meeting in Bethel village, which continues to use the building for summer services.[2]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 National Park Service (2009-03-13). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. 1 2 Devin Colman (2007). "NRHP nomination for Old Christ Church" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved 2016-08-02. with photos from 2007
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/28/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.