Sagadahoc Preservation Inc. & the Winter Street Center

Since its construction in 1843, the Winter Street Church steeple has been a landmark in the skyline of Bath, "the City of Ships".

When Bath's riverfront was lined with wooden shipyards and Bath was the fifth largest U.S. port in registered vessel tonnage in the 1840s and 1850s, the graceful, towering steeple was a guide for the ships sailing in and out of this busy port. The building proudly embodies the aspirations and philanthropy of Bath's citizens, as well as their history: it served not only as a house of worship, but also as the City's largest meeting place, used for graduations, civic events and celebrations of historic occasions, as well as serving as a hospital during the flu epidemic of 1919. 

This place matters for aesthetic reasons as well. The building rises in a prominent location across from the City Park and is reflected in its pond, which is graced by the William Zorach sculpture and fountain, Spirit of the Sea. Facing it across the park is the Patten Free Library. This area provides a peaceful and beautiful space in the center of Bath and a harmonious transition from the historic downtown to the residential sectionof the Historic District. The views and feeling of the Park without the Winter Street Church would be unimaginably diminished.

How much Winter Street Church matters architecturally has been amply attested.  It was added to the Historic American Buildings Survey in 1971 and in the Maine Catalog of the HABS, Denys Myers called it "a major asset to Bath and an important part of the architectural heritage of the State."  It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is located within one of Bath's Historic Districts on the National Register, as well as the City's Historic District.  The National Trust featured a photograph of Winter Street Church in its 2006 Historic America Engagement Calendar. 

Winter Street Church matters for its role in inspiring historic preservation awareness and action throughout Bath. Formed to save Winter Street, SPI went on to save the Central Church, to establish a revolving loan fund to save other buildings and to spark the historic restoration of downtown Bath. For this cooperative achievement, the National Trust presented its President's Award to SPI, the City, and the local museum and Chamber in 1977.  SPI members helped start Bath’s Main Street program, and serve on its Design Committee.  Bath was named one of the National Trust's "Dozen Distinctive Destinations" in 2005.

Today, Winter Street is home to SPI's preservation lecture series and old movie series, and its fundraising events.  The parish hall is used for a low fee by community members for weddings, memorial services, birthday parties, meetings and even a Brownie troop sleepover. Organizations use it for fundraisers, concerts, movies, rehearsal and performance space and conferences.  No longer a religious center, it is still a vital community gathering place, inspiring dedication to civic and aesthetic good works and appreciation of the importance of historic preservation.

The information provided on Community Challenge pages is provided "as is," and the National Trust for Historic Preservation does not make any representations, endorsements, or warranties (either expressed or implied) on any comments, reviews, or suggestions posted. Neither does the National Trust assume responsibility or liability for the same.