Center Meetinghouse

Last updated
Center Meetinghouse
NewburyNH CenterMeetinghouse.jpg
USA New Hampshire location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location NH 103, Newbury, New Hampshire
Coordinates 43°19′16″N72°2′8″W / 43.32111°N 72.03556°W / 43.32111; -72.03556 Coordinates: 43°19′16″N72°2′8″W / 43.32111°N 72.03556°W / 43.32111; -72.03556
Arealess than one acre
Built1832 (1832)
Architectural styleFederal
NRHP reference No. 79000201 [1]
Added to NRHPDecember 19, 1979

The Center Meetinghouse is a historic meetinghouse on NH 103 in Newbury, New Hampshire. The Federal-style church building was built c. 1832, a relatively late date for the style. It replaced a 1797 meetinghouse that had been located about a mile away. It is further believed to be distinctive in New Hampshire as the only Federal period church in which the pulpit is located at the rear of the auditorium. [2] Originally built to be used by multiple religious denominations, it is now operated by a local nonprofit organization as a community center. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. [1]

Contents

Description and history

The Center Meetinghouse occupies a prominent site in the center of Newbury's main village, overlooking the southern end of Lake Sunapee at the eastern corner of the junction of New Hampshire Routes 103 and 103A. It is a single-story wood-frame structure, with a gabled roof and clapboarded exterior. The front gable rake edges and main eaves are studded with modillion blocks. An entry section projects slightly on the front facade, flanked on either side by tall sash windows topped by half-round fans. There are two symmetrically placed entrances, each flanked by pilasters, which rise to a segmented-arch cornice. A two-stage tower rises above the front, with round-arch louvered openings in the first stage, which is topped by a cornice and balustrade. The second stage is open, with clapboarded square columns rising to a similar but smaller cornice and balustrade. A spire rises at the peak. The interior retains many period features. It has its original box pews, oriented to face the rear of the main chamber, where the decoratively carved pulpit is in an elevated position between the two entrance aisles. [2]

The meetinghouse is built in 1832, when the Federal style in which it was built was giving way to the Greek Revival. Its woodwork is a well-preserved example of the former style, showing no traces of the influence of the latter. It is believed to be the only Federal period church in the state that retains the rear pulpit position, which was often altered due to changing tastes in the 19th century. The building was constructed by a "Religious Toleration Society", and was made available to several local church congregations. The building's condition declined in the late 19th century, as the town's population also declined, and it was given an early restoration in 1892 through the work of nearby resident John Hay. [2] In 1932, the building was turned over to a poorly funded board of trustees, and again declined in condition in the 20th century. It was given a full restoration by a new community group in 2005.

See also

Related Research Articles

Greenville Presbyterian Church (New York)

The Greenville Presbyterian Church is located on NY 32 just north of its intersection with NY 81 in Greenville, New York, United States. Its three buildings on two acres were listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1985.

Somerset Academy (Athens, Maine) United States historic place

Somerset Academy, also known as Athens Academy, is an historic building on Academy Street in Athens, Maine. Built in 1846, it is a remarkably sophisticated treatment of Greek Revival architecture in rural setting. The building is home to the River of Life Church. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Peter

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Peter, known locally as the Old Stone Church, is located on US 9 in the Town of Rhinebeck, New York, United States. It is a stone church built in the late 18th century by the area's Palatine German immigrant population. It has been renovated significantly since then. The church congregation was established in 1729.

South Canaan Congregational Church United States historic place

The South Canaan Congregational Church is a historic Congregational church building at Connecticut Route 63 and Barnes Road in the town of Canaan, Connecticut. Built in 1804, it is a remarkably well-preserved example of early Federal period church architecture. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

Canaan Meetinghouse United States historic place

The Canaan Meetinghouse is a historic meeting house on Canaan Street in Canaan, New Hampshire. Built in 1794, with some subsequent alterations, it is a good example of a Federal period meeting house, serving as a center of town civic and religious activity for many years. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, and included in the Canaan Street Historic District the following year. The building is still owned by the town, and is available for rent.

Dorchester Community Church United States historic place

The Dorchester Community Church is a historic church building off NH 118 in Dorchester, New Hampshire. Built in 1828 and rebuilt on a smaller scale in 1883, it is a well-preserved local example of Greek Revival architecture. The church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, and included in the Dorchester Common Historic District in 1985.

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.

First Congregational Church (Alton, New Hampshire) United States historic place

The First Congregational Church is a historic church building at 20 Church Street in Alton, New Hampshire, United States. Built in 1853-54, it is one of Belknap County's finest Greek Revival churches. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.

Cotton Mountain Community Church United States historic place

The Cotton Mountain Community Church, also known as the Wolfeborough, Brookfield and Wakefield Meetinghouse, is a historic church on Stoneham Road in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, near the town line with Brookfield. Built about 1852, it is a well-preserved example of a rural New England meeting house with vernacular Greek Revival style. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Since 1957, when it stopped being used for services, it has been cared for by a local nonprofit group.

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.

Danville Meetinghouse United States historic place

The Danville Meetinghouse is a historic colonial meeting house on North Main Street in Danville, New Hampshire. Construction on the building began in 1755 and was finished in 1760 when Danville petitioned to form a town of its own, separate from Kingston. It is the oldest meetinghouse of original construction and least-altered in New Hampshire, with a remarkably well preserved interior. The building, now maintained by a local nonprofit organization, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

First Baptist Church of Cornish United States historic place

The First Baptist Church of Cornish is a historic church at 29 Cornish Stage Road at NH 120 in Cornish Flat, New Hampshire. Built in 1803, it is the town's oldest surviving church building, and is one of the state's oldest surviving Baptist churches. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

First Baptist Church (Waterboro, Maine) United States historic place

The First Baptist Church, also known as the Old Corner Church, is a historic church at West and Federal Streets in Waterboro, Maine. Built in 1803-04 and altered to a Greek Revival appearance in 1849, it retains significant characteristics of more traditional Federal period meetinghouses. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

First Parish Meetinghouse (Standish, Maine) United States historic place

The First Parish Meetinghouse, also known as the Old Red Church, is a historic church building on Oak Hill Road in Standish, Maine. Built 1804-06, it is a well-preserved example of rural Federal period design. The building has served the community as a church and school, and is still occasionally used for religious services. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

Bingham Free Meetinghouse United States historic place

The Bingham Free Meetinghouse is a historic church on South Main Street in Bingham, Maine. Built in 1835-36, this wood frame structure was the first church to be built north of Caratunk Falls in northwestern Maine. The building is architecturally transitional, exhibiting both Federal and Gothic Revival elements. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

Mercer Union Meetinghouse United States historic place

The Mercer Union Meetinghouse is a historic church in Mercer, Maine, USA. Built in 1829 for several different denominations to share, this church is a relatively early and rare example of transitional Federal-Gothic styling in the state, with its tower set partially over the entrance vestibule, another uncommon feature. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.

Guilford Center Meeting House United States historic place

The Guilford Center Meeting House, formerly the Guilford Center Universalist Church, is a historic building on Guilford Center Road in Guilford, Vermont. Built in 1837, it is a well-preserved example of transitional Greek Revival architecture. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. It is now owned by the local historical society as a community meeting and event space.

Union Meetinghouse (East Montpelier, Vermont) United States historic place

The Union Meetinghouse, also known as The Old Meeting House and the East Montpelier Center Meeting House, is a historic church on Center Road in East Montpelier, Vermont. Built in 1823-26, it is the oldest church building in the greater Montpelier area, and a well-preserved example of Federal period church architecture. It served as a union church for multiple denominations for many years, and housed the annual town meetings until 1849. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. It is now home to a non-denominational community congregation.

Robinhood Free Meetinghouse historic church in Georgetown, Maine

The Robinhood Free Meetinghouse is a historic church building at 210 Robinhood Road in Georgetown, Maine. Built in 1856, it is a modest example of vernacular Greek Revival architecture, distinctive as one of Maine's few rural 19th-century churches to have its sanctuary space on the second floor. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016; it has recently been converted for use as a restaurant.

References

  1. 1 2 "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 "NRHP nomination for Center Meetinghouse". National Park Service. Retrieved 2014-02-26.