189 Church Street
The building at the northwest corner of Church and
King Streets is one of only two remaining Federal style buildings on Church
Street. Constructed around 1815, the building originally was the home of the
Mills brothers, printing and publishing barons who dominated the market in
Burlington in the first half of the nineteenth century.The Mills brothers were
politically active, supporting first Jefferson and then Jackson, so this building
was likely the center of a great deal of political discussion[1]
The original entryway is located on what is now the second floor, with
the original basement level now forming the first floor. These changes occurred
in response to the lowering of the street level. The original entryway features
a graceful fanlight and sidelights placed between paired pilasters.Other
hallmark features of the Federal style include a taut faŤade with sharply set
windows and a bonded brick construction.
The building is symbolic of the early residential character of Church Street, recalling the era that preceded the commercial boom that began only a few decades later.The interior of the building has been converted to apartments.