Asbury United Methodist Church (Chesterfield, New Hampshire)

Last updated
Asbury United Methodist Church
Asbury United Methodist Church, Chesterfield, New Hampshire.jpg
USA New Hampshire location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location532 NH 63, Chesterfield, New Hampshire
Coordinates 42°53′17″N72°28′14″W / 42.88806°N 72.47056°W / 42.88806; -72.47056 Coordinates: 42°53′17″N72°28′14″W / 42.88806°N 72.47056°W / 42.88806; -72.47056
Arealess than one acre
Built1844 (1844)
Built byCoolidge, Oscar C.
Architectural style Greek Revival
NRHP reference No. 83004009 [1]
Added to NRHPDecember 21, 1983

The Asbury United Methodist Church is a historic Methodist church on NH 63 in Chesterfield, New Hampshire. It has been termed the "mother church of Methodism in New Hampshire", and is home to the state's oldest continuously running Methodist congregation, organized in 1795. [2] The building, constructed in 1844, is a prominent local example of Greek Revival architecture, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. [1]

Contents

Description and history

The Asbury United Methodist Church is located in the town center of Chesterfield, on the east side of New Hampshire Route 63. It is a 1½-story wood-frame structure, rectangular in shape, with a gable roof, and a tower rising from its front (northwestern) facade. The main facade is divided into three bays by four pilasters, with entrances on the two outer bays and a window in the center. An uncovered porch extends across the facade, with a latticework railing and a broad centered stair. The tower is a two-stage square structure, the lower stage with corner pilasters, and the upper (which houses the belfry) with paired pilasters matching those on the facade. [2]

Methodism first began to be preached in southwestern New Hampshire in 1793 by Jesse Lee, and developed a following sufficient to organize a congregation by 1795. The first Methodist circuit was known as the "Chesterfield circuit" since it was based here. This organization at first met in local homes, schools, and other church buildings, prior to the construction of this church. It was built in 1844 by contractor Oscar C. Coolidge, and bears stylistic design touches characteristic of the early works of Ammi Burnham Young, a native of Lebanon, New Hampshire. [2]

See also

Related Research Articles

Chesterfield, New Hampshire Town in New Hampshire, United States

Chesterfield is a town in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 3,552 at the 2020 census. It includes the villages of Spofford and West Chesterfield. Chesterfield is home to Spofford Lake, Chesterfield Gorge Natural Area, and parts of Pisgah State Park and Wantastiquet Mountain State Forest.

Methodist Episcopal Society of Tyringham United States historic place

Methodist Episcopal Society of Tyringham is a historic church at 128-130 Main Road in Tyringham, Massachusetts, and is presently the only church standing in the community. The property includes a Greek Revival church building built in 1844, and a parsonage house next door. Between 1844 and 1907, the church was also used for town meetings. The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.

Bedford Presbyterian Church United States historic place

The Bedford Presbyterian Church is a historic Presbyterian church building at 4 Church Road in Bedford, New Hampshire. The white clapboard structure was built in 1832 for a congregation organized in 1749 and was for many years the town's only church. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. It is the oldest Presbyterian church building in the state and in the Presbytery of Northern New England.

Park Hill Meetinghouse United States historic place

The Park Hill Meetinghouse is a historic meeting house on Park Hill in Westmoreland, New Hampshire. Built in 1764, and extensively restyled in the early 19th century, it is a fine example of Federal and Greek Revival architecture, influenced by the work of regionally prominent architect Elias Carter. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. It is now owned by the Westmoreland Park Hill Meetinghouse and Historical Society.

Richmond Community Church United States historic place

The Richmond Community Church is a historic church building on Fitzwilliam Road in Richmond, New Hampshire, United States. Built in 1838, it is a distinctive regionally early example of Greek Revival church architecture executed in brick. The church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. It is now owned by a Methodist congregation.

Tuftonboro United Methodist Church United States historic place

Tuftonboro United Methodist Church is a historic Methodist church on New Hampshire Route 171 in Tuftonboro, New Hampshire. Built about 1853, it is one of the finest examples of ecclesiastical Greek Revival architecture in New Hampshire's Lakes Region. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.

Union Church (South Wolfeboro, New Hampshire) United States historic place

The Union Church is a historic church on South Main Street in South Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. Built in 1845 for the use of several small religious congregations, it is a well-preserved example of mid-19th century vernacular Greek Revival architecture. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

First Congregational Church of Boscawen United States historic place

The First Congregational Church of Boscawen is a historic church at 12 High Street in Boscawen, New Hampshire. Built in 1799, the wood-frame church was significantly altered in 1839, when it acquired its present Greek Revival character. It is one of the few surviving meeting houses in New Hampshire that continues to combine religious and municipal functions; it basement space is used for town meetings and elections. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

Hill Center Church United States historic place

The Hill Center Church is a historic church on Murray Hill Road in Hill, New Hampshire. Built in 1799 and extensively altered in 1847, it is a well-preserved example of Gothic Revival architecture, used historically for both religious and civic functions in the town. Now maintained by a local community group, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

Lower Warner Meetinghouse United States historic place

The Lower Warner Meetinghouse is a historic meetinghouse at 232 East Main Street in Warner, New Hampshire. Built in 1844–45, it is a little-altered example of a 19th-century Greek Revival church, which has retained nearly all of its original interior elements, as well as its exterior except for the steeple, lost to a lightning strike c. 1893. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.

Freewill Baptist Church-Peoples Baptist Church-New Hope Church United States historic place

The Freewill Baptist Church—Peoples Baptist Church—New Hope Church is a historic structure built in 1868 located at 45 Pearl Street in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The building, a fine local example of Italianate ecclesiastical architecture, was once owned by an African-American congregation. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in September 2002, and the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places in January 2002. Later home to the Portsmouth Pearl, a center of arts and culture, it has more recently hosted art exhibitions, theatrical productions, and event rentals. As of June 2021, the building is listed for sale at nearly $1.5 million.

Northwood Congregational Church United States historic place

The Northwood Congregational Church is a historic church at 881 1st New Hampshire Turnpike in Northwood, New Hampshire. The Greek Revival wood-frame building was built in 1840, and is one of the finest and least-altered Greek Revival churches in the state. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The congregation is affiliated with the United Church of Christ.

Florona Grange No. 540 Hall United States historic place

Florona Grange No. 540 Hall is a historic Grange hall and former church on Monkton Road in Monkton, Vermont. Built in 1811 as the Monkton Borough Baptist Church, it is the second-oldest church in Addison County. it is a fine example of Federal architecture with later Greek Revival additions. Its initial design is based closely on designs published by Asher Benjamin. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.

First Congregational Church and Meetinghouse United States historic place

The First Congregational Church and Meetinghouse, also known as the Church of Christ and the Townshend Church, is a historic church at 34 Common Road in Townshend, Vermont. Built in 1790 and restyled in 1840, it is one of the oldest church buildings in continuous use in the state. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002; the congregation was established in 1777, and is affiliated with the United Church of Christ.

Congregational Church of Chelsea United States historic place

The United Church of Chelsea, previously the Congregational Church of Chelsea, is a historic church on Chelsea Green in Chelsea, Vermont. Built 1811–1813 with later stylistic additions, it is a fine example of Federal period architecture with Greek Revival alterations. Originally built for a Congregationalist group, it now serves as a union church, affiliated with the United Church of Christ. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

Holland Congregational Church United States historic place

The Holland Congregational Church is a historic church on Gore Road in Holland, Vermont. Built in 1844, it is a prominent local example of Greek Revival architecture, and is the town's only surviving 19th-century public building. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

Loudon Town Hall United States historic place

Loudon Town Hall is a historic New England meetinghouse at 433 Clough Hill Road in Loudon, New Hampshire. Built in 1779 and extensively restyled in 1847, this Greek Revival structure was used for many years for both religious and civic purposes; it now serves principally as a church, housing a Free Will Baptist congregation. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990; it is one of the oldest civic buildings in Merrimack County.

Central Methodist Episcopal Church (Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan) United States historic place

Central Methodist Episcopal Church is a United States historic church at 111 E. Spruce Street in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 and designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1993.

Dorchester Common Historic District United States historic place

The Dorchester Common Historic District encompasses three public buildings that front the public common in the village of Dorchester, New Hampshire. The oldest of the three buildings is the schoolhouse, which dates to 1808 and is now a local museum. The Dorchester Community Church was built in 1828, and the town hall in 1844, on the site of the town's first (1828) town hall. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985; the church was also separately listed in 1980.

Temple Town Hall United States historic place

The Temple Town Hall, also known as the Union Hall and the Miller Grange Hall, is a historic municipal building in the center of Temple, New Hampshire. Built in 1842, it is a fine example of Greek Revival architecture, which has served the community as a church, Grange hall, and town hall. It continues to be used for social functions. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in June 2007, and the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places in April 2007.

References

  1. 1 2 "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 Carol J. Waseleski (May 10, 1983). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Asbury United Methodist Church". National Park Service. and accompanying five photos from 1983