Christ Episcopal Church (Benson, Minnesota) Explained

Christ Church-Episcopal
Coordinates:45.3158°N -95.5992°W
Location:310 13th Street North,
Benson, Minnesota
Area:Less than one acre
Built:1879
Architecture:Carpenter Gothic
Refnum:85001761
Designated Nrhp Type:August 15, 1985

Christ Episcopal Church is a historic church building in Benson, Minnesota, United States. It is Benson's oldest church, built in 1879 as part of the Episcopal Church's ambitious expansion into western Minnesota under Bishop Henry Benjamin Whipple.[1]

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 as Christ Church-Episcopal for having local significance in the themes of architecture and religion.[2] It was nominated for its association with Bishop Whipple's missionary program, for symbolizing Benson's English and New Englander settlers, for being Benson's oldest church building, and for its early Gothic Revival architecture.

Its board and batten walls, side-entry bell tower, and lancet windows and door are all typical of Carpenter Gothic architecture. The congregation sold the building in 1966 to make way for construction of a high-rise apartment. The 87-year-old church building escaped demolition; it was moved south across the road (at which point it was rotated 180° to maintain its street-facing façade). It was repurposed as a senior center and currently houses the Swift County Drop-In Center.[3]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Granger . Susan . [{{NRHP url|id=85001761}} National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form: Christ Church ]. National Park Service . February 1984 . 2018-02-24.
  2. Web site: Christ Church (Episcopal) . Minnesota National Register Properties Database . Minnesota Historical Society . 2009 . 2018-02-24.
  3. Web site: Drop In Center Open . 2024-08-19 . www.swiftcounty.com . en.