Formal Recognition Type

Registered Heritage Structure

Heritage Value

Fogo United Church was designated a Registered Heritage Structure by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1997 due to its historic and aesthetic value.

Fogo United Church has historic value because it was constructed in 1877 after the Great Fire of Fogo that levelled the town. It is symbolic of the reconstruction era and shows the community support and efforts that led to its reconstruction. Begun as a Methodist church, the Fogo Methodist congregation numbered approximately 140 people to rebuild their church. The building has been used for Sunday worship, Christian education, and church meetings since its construction and it is representative of the importance the community placed on religious institutions.

Fogo United Church has aesthetic value as a good example of an outport interpretation of the Gothic Revival style. The steeply pitched gable roofs are accentuated with ornate bargeboard and the peak of each front gable has a decorative finial. Each Gothic arch window has curved muntins and stained glass. The small arched transom window and moulded trim over the main door add definition to the front facade. The louvered bell tower is capped with a steep turret and finial and has a dentil motif under the eaves. The interior details are examples of local craftsmanship and interpretation – while the church as a whole represents the importance of the structure within the community.

Source: Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador property file “Fogo – Fogo United Church – FPT 1848”

Character Defining Elements

All those exterior architectural features that are representative of the Gothic Revival style including;
-number of storeys;
-steep gable roof;
-bell tower with turret, finial, and dentil motif;
-bargeboard and finials;
-narrow wooden clapboard;
-wooden corner boards;
-size, style, trim and placement of wooden windows;
-size, style, trim and placement of exterior wooden doors;
-size, style and location of porch on front facade, and;
-location, orientation and dimensions of the building.

Community

Fogo

Municipality

Town of Fogo Island

Civic Address

052 Main Street

Construction (circa)

1877 - 1877

Style

Rectangular Short Façade