Garage at 219 Main Street

The Garage at 219 Main Street in Farmington, Maine, was once a Free Will Baptist Meetinghouse. Built in 1835, it is one of a relatively small number of 19th-century brick meeting houses, and its history exhibits the creative reuse of structures in rural Maine. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.[1]

Free Will Baptist Meetinghouse
Location219 Main St., Farmington, Maine
Coordinates44°40′8″N 70°9′3″W
Area1 acre (0.40 ha)
Built1835
Architectural styleFederal
Part ofFarmington Historic District (ID94001551)
NRHP reference No.73000264[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPAugust 28, 1973
Designated CPJanuary 20, 1995

Description

The church is a rectangular brick structure, set well back from Main Street, with a gable roof whose end faces the street. It exhibits modest Federal styling, with a pair of entry doors on the front facade, each with narrow sidelight windows and topped by a decorative fan. Above each door is a single sash window, with 12 over 8 lights. The gable pediment also has a decorative fan. There is a large doorway in the center of the southern facade, presently used as a garage door. The interior, although significantly altered from its original religious setting, includes the inscription "Glory to God in the Highest" on its plaster walls.[2]

History

The Free Will Baptist congregation was established in Farmington in 1793, and first met in people's homes and barns. This meetinghouse was built in 1835 at a cost of $1,250, and was the first of the denomation north and east of Gorham. In the early 20th century the building was converted for use as a cheese factory, at which time the side garage entrance was added. Later 20th century uses included a medical facility, a stable, and as a fur storage building, before its present use as residential garage.[2]

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. NRHP nomination for Free Will Baptist Meetinghouse; available by request from the National Park Service
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