I Have Seen Some Churches - III - The Churches of New England

First Congregational Church on the Common - Townsend, Vermont
Built in 1790 (today affiliated with United Church of Christ)
Copyright Andy Richards 2010 - All Rights Reserved

THE FIRST two posts in this series illustrated some of the very grandiose churches, Cathedrals, Mosques and Shrines I have had the privilege of seeing in person over the past few years. The majority of them have been in Europe. Some are thousands of years old. Some are fairly new. Some (particularly shrines and temples of Asia) are colorful. All are architecturally  striking.

Congregational Church - Middlebury, Vermont
Copyright Andy Richards 2006 - All Rights Reserved

I WANT to turn a corner for a minute and look at some very much simpler churches, but every bit as symbolic. The churches of New England. By comparison, the architecture of these churches are very simple. There are a number of reasons behind this, I think.

United Church of Westford, Vermont
Copyright Andy Richards 2006 - All Rights Reserved

THE RELIGIOUS philosopy in the early New England Colonies consisted of a very simple, straightforward set of core beliefs. "Grandiose" was not part of them. Many of the citizens who started and built these churches came from Europe to escape some of the grandiose and imperious approaches to religion prevalent in Europe. Freedom to worship as they see fit. Simplicity of beliefs translated into simplicity of design. In the early days of the colonies in the 17th century, the Puritans heavily influenced the design of "churches" (they called them "meeting houses" rather than churches), with a square, unadorned building being the central feature.

Sharon Congregational Church (UCC) - Sharon, Vermont
Copyright Andy Richards 2010 - All Rights Reserved

DURING THE 18th century, design slowly evolved, with towers (bell towers) and/or steeples becoming common. The primary style over the years has been Gothic, or has evolved from Gothic. The design of many of these later churches has been classified as "federal" or "colonial." Architectural touches were borrowed from Europe including the architecture of Londons' famed Christopher Wren, seen primarily in the and steeple/bell towers of many of the churches.

Stowe Community Church - Stowe, Vermont
Copyright Andy Richards 2005 - All Rights Reserved

A SECOND highly relevant factor was the availability of building materials, construction equipment, architects and builders. Trees - and therefore wood - were plentiful in the northeastern United States. Wood was comparatively easy to work with, and cheap, given its abundance.

West Hill United Methodist Church - Chelsea, Vermont
Copyright Andy Richards 2015 - All Rights Reserved

IN KEEPING with the early simplicity of the Puritan beliefs, churches were - if painted at all - painted in plain colors. The white that we so often see today in "postcard" images did not actually come into being until the 20th century! The pigments available before were more of an off-white (or perhaps whitewash).

The East Orange Union Church is a non-denominational Church built in 1819 - It is perhas the most uniquely painted church I have photographed in New England. New growth from the Ridge Road above has rendered it nearly impossible to photograph today.
Copyright Andy Richards 2006 - All Rights Reserved

THE DISCOVERY of Titanium Dioxide in the 1920's gave forth to the bright white paint that we see on so many of today's New England churches. This happened at about the same time as the so-called, "Colonial Revival" architectural movement. The Colonial Revival period idealized the colonial history of New England, creating  the iconic postcard image of the white church on the town common. However, as some of my images show, sometimes they are painted colors other than white.

Baptist Church - Sutton, Vermont
Copyright Andy Richards 2025 - All Rights Reserved

NOT ALL of these picturesque churches are still in use today as religious meeting houses. Many of them have been preserved as important local landmarks, like the West Hill Methodist Church above, which was closed in 2016, but is still operated by The Methodist Association as a historical site.

The Village of East Corinth, Vermont is often photographed from numerous perspectives, but you will seldom see a shot without the white, East Corinth Congregational Church and its Christopher Wren-inspired steeple anchoring it.
Copyright Andy Richards 2026 - All Rights Reserved

FOR LANDSCAPE photographers, the simple, often white, geographic structures of these churches make a wonderful element, anchor point, or even subject in these idyllic rural villages. The East Corinth shot above has a lot going on, but without the church, it just doesn't work. But in many instances, there is not only one centrally featured church but two, or even more. This makes for a number of good photographs from distance - from the perspective that my good friend and mentor, John Knox calls: "steeples in the hills."

The Village of Barton, Vermont - In this shot from up on Kinsey Road, you can count 3 steeples
Copyright Andy Richards 2010 - All Rights Reserved

Twin Steeples of these churches are actually across the road from each other in the Village of Chelsea, Vermont (credit to John Knox for showing me this scene)
Copyright Andy Richards 2021 - All Rights Reserved

IF ANY readers here are classmates of mine from Hillsdale College back in the late '70s - early '80s - and if they were fortunate as I was to have Dr. John Willson as their Freshman American History (required course for all Hillsdale grads in those days) professor, they will (presumably fondly) remember the phrase: "family, church, and local community" drilled into them on an near-daily basis in his class. As you travel throughout our country - particularly in rural and first-settled parts, you will see two-thirds of that trilogy grandly illustrated. Every community has at least one church and it is always a central feature. Indeed in many cases, that church spire is visible from every angle. And in the case of the New England Churches, it is always the white steeple that shows up.

The Peacham Congregational Church's prominent and oft-photographed steeple can be seen prominently, both from afar, and from every angle around the village
Copyright Andy Richards - All Rights Reserved

NOT EVERY "New England" church is found in New England. Indeed, it seems that wherever settlors moved west and to some extent, south, they carried those building traditions with them. In my couple trips to Great Smoky Mountain National Park in Tennesee, the former community of Cade's Cove has 3 churches - all with the similar styling of the New England churches above. The Cade's Cove Methodist Church is perhaps the best known of them.

Cade's Cove United Methodist Church - Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Townsend, Tennessee
Copyright Andy Richards 2023 - All Rights Reserved

Sainte Anne's Church - Mackinac Island, Michigan
This splendid copy of the Gothic Revival style New England Church is a long way from New England
Copyright Andy Richards 2007 - All Rights Reserved

THE ARCHITECTURE of these churches fascinates me. As I briefly touched on above, the earliest churches were very simple, rectangular buildings called "meeting houses." At some point, cupolas, belfries and then steeples were added. My conjecture is that the main reason for these additions were as a bell tower, as churchbells were certainly an important part of the culture. The Cade's Cove church is - in my mind - as close to the early Puritan "meeting houses" as you can find today. It is very simple, both inside and out.

Churches on the Common; Newfane, Vermont
Copyright Andy Richards 2010 - All Rights Reserved

THE TWO side-by-side churches on the Newfane, Vermont Common are a perhaps "fun" illustration of two very popular "versions" of New England Church architecture. The church on the left, in the very traditional Gothic Revival style, was the town's first meeting house, built in 1832. Today it is known as "The Union Hall." Shortly afterward, in 1839, the Newfane Congregational Church was built directly next door. Whild also mostly Gothic Revival style, this one sports the then-increasingly popular tall steeple reaching - presumably - for "the heavens," inspired by England's famous 18th century architect: Christopher Wren.

Strafford Meeting House - Strafford, Vermont
Copyright Andy Richards 2010 - All Rights Reserved

HIGH ON a hill above the Strafford, Vermont Common, sits The Strafford Meeting House; perhaps the most photogenic of these churches that I have ever seen. It is also perhaps my best example of the evolution of some of these churches to the more grand "New England classic revival," or "federal" style. Note how much more detailed and palatine the steeple complex is.

Trinity Church - St. Anne's Square - Newport, Rhode Island
This late 17th century church is Rhode Island's oldest Episcopal Church
Copyright Andy Richards 2016 - All Rights Reserved

THIS BLOG post might lead you to believe that I am suggesting the only place there are great examples of classic, colonial New England style churches is Vermont. I have spent many years stomping around Vermont with my camera in hand. Unfortunately, I haven't spent much time in the neighboring New England states, so I don't have any personal examples of them. Something I would like to do someday. I know that, particularly in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, hundreds more examples of these churches exist in the many small bergs and villages. At this point, my only image that comes close is of the Trinity Church Steeple in Newport, Rhode Island. I hope to add to the collection in future years.