St. James church, Arlington, Vermont.It looks like a very typical church for this area. I saw a several with the same four points on the steeple as we drove around. I have no idea what style this is, so if any of you know anything about it, I'd appreciate learning.
The church's front door.The church had a graveyard right outside. The old stones were pretty and the grounds looked well tended. I didn't walk in to look at dates or anything, so I don't know how old they are. I'll bet some are from the eighteenth century.
Inside the church.This was our first stop in Vermont and I think we spent about fifteen minutes walking around looking. After that we drove up to Manchester. It was mid-day and we were feeling hungry, so Lorraine suggested a spot she knew for lunch.
The cemetery.
That red door is great. Love it.
ReplyDeleteThe church looks like an average English village church in style. Other than that I have no idea. Others will, I'm sure !
To me, it looks Jacobean, but I'm not an expert in British architecture. I'm probably wrong.
ReplyDeleteSo, how far from Albany is it to go over into Vermont to this area?
ReplyDeleteI don't know the style of the church, either, though my sister or her husband might have insight. In my brother-in-law's Vermont hometown (a VERY small town), there is a little cemetary (I'm sure it must be next to the church) where family members and town folks are buried.
I'm looking forward to reading more!
Judy
Okay, well, not being one to let go of a fun research topic, I had to pursue this architecture question for St. James Church in Arlington.
ReplyDeleteThe history section of their website refers to it as a Gothic structure, but, it sure ain't no drippy French Gothic I know! :))
However, further reading makes me think that it might follow some of the elements of the late "Perpendicular" Gothic style, and of the Tudor style (despite the lack of half-timbered stuff on the outside), especially in the style of the squared-off towers with the 4 pinnacle-type structures on each corner.
I'd say that the shape and style of the windows fits, too.
Here are a couple of links:
Tudor
English Perpendicular Gothic in Fairhaven, Massachusetts
English Tudor Gothic style, St. Joseph Church, Bristol, Connecticut
Of course, these are all English styles, but they seem to be somewhat reflected in some of the churches in New England, though often in a simpler style.
What do you think?
Judy
And... I'm back again, with info from my sister (architect, Vermonter, and Anglophile/Francophile):
ReplyDeleteOh, I could write lots about that church! :-) Essentially, when you say Gothic in this country, and esp. in New England, you really mean Gothic Revival, or Carpenter Gothic, which are simpler, smaller, often wooden versions of English country churches, and all the moreso for this one, as it is Episcopalian, AKA The Church of England. The four-point tower is English, yes, like English Tudor. And that red door is totally typical of these small English style Episcopal churches in N.E. The stone base on this one makes it a little fancier than your typical Carpenter Gothic, so I think I'd go with something like English Gothic Revival. :-) I love a good research project, too!
jean, I hope you're checking out these links!
ReplyDeletechm, I'm just as clueless on this one!
judy, thanks to you and your sister for all the info and links!
For what it's worth, my first thought was Perpendicular, which was a particularly English variant of Gothic from relatively late, around the thirteenth-fourteenth centuries onwards. Some sort of technical development enabled them to build taller, with more slender window supports, allowing larger windows. Classic example: Westminster Abbey, which has two such towers.
ReplyDeleteIn the nineteenth century, the Victorians in England revived all forms of what they understood as Gothic with as many spires and curlicues as possible (see the Houses of Parliament!!!). Vermonters obviously retained a rather more elegant idea of it.
I love New England churches. after all, they are my roots.
ReplyDelete