The Old Round Church is in Richmond, Vermont. Years ago, I saw an image of the Old Round Church in an old issue of Yankee Magazine. (Look down the page for more on this) I think the image that I saw was similar to the one on this page (it’s more of a memory), and I wanted to create my own version of it.

Remember…

If it looks good in fall, it probably looks good in winter as well…

When I first met Lisa, she heard me talk about a Christmas image of a round church lit up in winter with candles in the windows, and said she had a place she knew of. (She grew up in Vermont)

On one of our trips North into Vermont to visit family, she introduced me to the Richmond Round Church. Over a 10 year span, we would stop in to try and photograph the church during the fall and around Christmas. As you can see, I finally achieved my goal.

You can view my different images of the Richmond Round Church by going to my gallery here at www.vistaphotography.com.

Background

The Old Round church was built in 1812/13 under the direction of craftsman William Rhodes. This 16-sided polygon round church/meetinghouse was to be (and I find this amazing) a meeting hall and place of worship for FIVE protestant denominations. (Baptists, Christians, Congregationalists, Methodists, and Universalists)

Why 16 sides?

Well, there are no documents saying why the Old Round Church has 16 sides, but the three claims on its origin are:

• The first was that with no corners, there was no place for the Devil to hide.
• Someone postulated that Rhodes had 17 workers, one for each side and one for the belfry.
• But the most viable answer is that Rhodes, who grew up in Claremont, New Hampshire, modeled this one on the octagonal church in his hometown.

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Events at the Round Church

The Historical Society has a website where you can reach out to them for weddings and events.(click here)

They also have a Facebook Page for more information on weddings and concerts held each year.

Yankee Magazine purchased this image for a special edition that they did for the Christmas Holidays with the Vermont Country Store. Some folks will remember that Yankee Magazine and I go back to when I was their first fall foliage blogger. (2006-2010)

They still keep an eye on my work to see if I have something to help tell a story in their magazine, and once in a while, they come by to license my art. Of course, you can get home decor, mugs, greeting cards, or puzzles as gifts. Purchase here.

Locating the Round Church

I usually travel up I-89 to Exit 11 and jump on Route 2 South into Richmond. From there, follow the map. There is parking either at the church or down the road, and walk back.

Click the map to open Google Maps.

Jeff “Foliage” Folger  

You can purchase my images by visiting
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