St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Gothic Revival church in Newark, Delaware
St. Thomas Episcopal Church is a Gothic Revival structure built of red brick with stucco facing in Newark, Delaware. A gable roof covers the main building, while a 35-foot entrance tower rises prominently above the entrance.
The church was built between 1843 and 1845 following architect Richard Upjohn's design and served its congregation in that capacity. In 1956 the parish moved to a larger location, marking the beginning of the building's transition to different uses.
The building served as Newark's public library from 1956 to 1974 before becoming a University of Delaware recital hall. These transformations shaped how people experience and use the space today.
The building functions primarily as a recital hall, featuring a custom-built Dobson pipe organ and a restored 1920 Steinway piano for performances. Check in advance about events and access times, as the space is reserved for musical events and university activities.
The University of Delaware carried out a comprehensive renovation in 1996 that preserved historic architectural elements while enabling functional transformation. This successful balance between heritage preservation and practical adaptation makes the building a notable example of adaptive reuse.
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