St. Andrews Episcopal church in Newcastle, Maine, is a beautiful example of the Gothic Revival style and was the first church in America designed by Henry Vaughn. Vaughn was the architect of the National Cathedral in Washington, DC, as well as many other churches and public buildings in the United States. His work helped to popularize the Gothic Revival style in America. Built in 1883, St. Andrews is rather ordinary from the outside, with its “half timber” style of boards and stucco, but the interior is striking. The beautiful and elaborate stencil work on the ceiling was done by Vaughn himself, working on his back like Michelangelo at the Sistine Chapel. The primary colors of olive green and maroon are beautiful in the afternoon light and accentuate the details Vaughn designed into the space. The ornate casework around the pipe organ and the baptismal font were both designed by Vaughn, illustrating his remarkable design capabilities. Several years ago the building underwent an expansion and renovation ( a sort of Gothic Revival “revival”) done by architect John Morris of Camden, Maine. Today this diminutive church building is as lovely as when it was first built, designed by a master architect, and respectfully renovated and expanded as the church grew. It’s a great example of caring for and preserving our architectural treasures.

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