Old Christ Church
About this property
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. It is used for services only during the summer. 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. 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. National Register of Historic Places listings in Windsor County, Vermont Episcopal Diocese of Vermont information on the church
Location
Categories
Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).
Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Everything a full report reveals about Old Christ Church
This page lists Old Christ Church. A full Aubrey report for an address near it pulls together this listing alongside battlefield records, land patents, and every other historical record within a chosen radius:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Nearby Battles
Questions about this property
When was Old Christ Church listed on the National Register?
Old Christ Church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 6, 2008.
What type of historic resource is Old Christ Church?
Old Christ Church is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.
What is the period of significance for Old Christ Church?
The period of significance for Old Christ Church is recorded as the industrial era.
Can I research the history near Old Christ Church?
Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Old Christ Church will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.
More in Windsor County
Historic places, battles, and census history across Windsor County.
Explore WindsorCounty ›Research the history near this site
An Aubrey US report for an address near Old Christ Church will include this listing alongside battlefield records and other historical sources within your chosen radius.