SOUTH ACWORTH, N.H. (MyKeeneNow.com) South Acworth Baptist Church has been added to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places, recognizing a building whose history reflects the changing needs of a rural community.

The church is one of five properties recently approved for inclusion in the state register by the State Historical Resources Council, according to the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources. Several of the new listings highlight how historic buildings have been relocated or adapted over time.

South Acworth Baptist Church was originally situated east of the town common along the Charlestown Turnpike. The building was reconstructed and redesigned in 1844 before being moved to its present location in 1867.

NH Division of Historical Resources

The relocation coincided with a shift in Acworth’s population, as residents moved from farms on the surrounding hills into South Acworth’s growing industrial center. Sawmills, gristmills and a woolen mill had been established along the Cold River, helping shape the village’s development.

The church is an example of Greek Revival architecture, featuring a front-facing gable, wooden paneled doors and a two-stage belfry.

Its steeple was knocked down during the 1938 hurricane. In the aftermath, Reynolds Aluminum Company donated aluminum to cover the spire.

The State Register designation recognizes the property’s historical significance but does not place restrictions on its owners, according to the Division of Historical Resources.

Property owners or others interested in nominating a site must research its history and complete an individual inventory form provided by the division. Additional information about the nomination process and the state register is available at nhdhr.dncr.nh.gov.

The Division of Historical Resources serves as New Hampshire’s State Historic Preservation Office. Established in 1974, it operates within the state Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and works to preserve and promote the state’s historic resources through education, stewardship and protection programs.