South Tunbridge Methodist Episcopal Church

Coordinates: 43°51′24″N 72°30′7″W / 43.85667°N 72.50194°W

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South Tunbridge Methodist Episcopal Church
U.S. National Register of Historic Places

South Tunbridge Methodist Episcopal Church
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Location	VT 110, 1/3 mi. N of Royalton town line, Tunbridge, Vermont
Coordinates	43°51′24″N 72°30′7″W / 43.85667°N 72.50194°W / 43.85667; -72.50194
Area	2 acres (0.81 ha)
Built	1833 (1833)
Architect	Hutchinson, William; Colburn, E.
Architectural style	Federal
MPS	Religious Buildings, Sites and Structures in Vermont MPS
NRHP reference No.	01000215^[1]
Added to NRHP	March 2, 2001

The South Tunbridge Methodist Episcopal Church is a historic church on Vermont Route 110, about one-third of a mile north of the Royalton town line in Tunbridge, Vermont. Built in 1833, it is one of the finest examples of late Federal period architecture in Orange County, and was a mainstay of social and civic life in southern Tunbridge for many years. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.^[1]

Description and history

The South Tunbridge Methodist Episcopal Church stands facing east on the west side of Vermont 110, on a rise overlooking the road and the adjacent First Branch White River. It is one of two public buildings in what is now a rural cluster of residences; to its south stands a 1920s community hall. The church is a single-story brick structure, with a gabled roof and stone foundation. The roof is topped by a single-stage clapboarded square tower, which is topped by a corniced flat roof, and has arched louvered openings for the belfry. The main facade is three bays wide and symmetrically arranged, with entrances flanking a central sash window on the ground floor, and three windows above. The second-level windows are set in recesses and topped by distinctive recessed sunburst-patterned brickwork. The sills of these windows are formed out of ogee-shaped bricks. The windows on the side walls have the same features. The interior of the church has a vestibule area topped by a now-enclosed gallery, with the main hall featuring a pressed tin roof and raised pulpit at the western end.^[2]

Prior to the construction of this church, area Methodists met in a house known then as the "old parsonage", a short way to the north. This structure was built in 1833 by William Hutchinson and E. Colburn. Its brickwork and distinctive sunburst decorations set it apart from other Federal period buildings in the area. For much of the 19th century, South Tunbridge was a thriving community, with a district school, post office, saw and grist mills, and blacksmithy. The church was a center of the local social life, hosting dinners and other social events for many years.^[2]

References

^ ^a ^b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
^ ^a ^b Steven Melanson (1979). "NRHP nomination for South Tunbridge Methodist Episcopal Church". National Park Service. Retrieved 2016-09-09. with photos from 1997

v t e National Register of Historic Places in Orange County, Vermont
National Historic Landmark	Justin Smith Morrill Homestead
Districts	Allis State Park Aloha Camp Aloha Hive Camp Bayley Historic District Bradford Village Historic District Brookfield Village Historic District Camp Billings Camp Wyoda Chelsea Village Historic District Depot Square Historic District Hayward and Kibby Mill Lanakila Camp Mari-Castle Asa May House Newbury Village Historic District Oxbow Historic District Randolph Center Historic District South Newbury Village Historic District Strafford Village Historic District Thetford Center Historic District Thetford Hill Historic District Thetford Hill State Park Tunbridge Village Historic District Wells River Village Historic District West Newbury Village Historic District
Buildings	Brock Hill Schoolhouse Central Vermont Railway Depot Chandler Music Hall and Bethany Parish House Elwin Chase House Congregational Church of Chelsea Ely Boston & Maine Railroad Depot Fairlee Railroad Depot Fairlee Town Hall Goshen Church Kimball Public Library Newbury Town House Marvin Newton House Peabody Library Post Mills Church South Tunbridge Methodist Episcopal Church Stratton's Inn Waits River Schoolhouse Wells River Graded School West Fairlee Center Church Harlie Whitcomb Farm Wildwood Hall
Structures	Bedell Covered Bridge ‡ Braley Covered Bridge Bridge 22 Cilley Covered Bridge Flint Covered Bridge Foundry Bridge Gifford Covered Bridge Howe Covered Bridge Kingsbury Covered Bridge Larkin Covered Bridge Lyme–East Thetford Bridge ‡ Mill Covered Bridge Morey Memorial Bridge ‡ Moxley Covered Bridge Piermont Bridge ‡ Thetford Center Covered Bridge Union Village Covered Bridge
Footnotes	‡ This historic property also has portions in an adjacent state.
See also: National Register of Historic Places listings in Orange County, Vermont and List of National Historic Landmarks in Vermont

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Description and history

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References