First Church of Christ, Unitarian

Last updated

First Church of Christ, Lancaster
Lancaster Unitarian Church, Lancaster, MA.jpg
First Church of Christ Unitarian: Its Fifth Meeting House designed by architect Charles Bulfinch, built 1815–1817.
USA Massachusetts location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location Lancaster, Massachusetts
Area2 acres (0.81 ha)
Built1816
Architect Charles Bulfinch
Architectural style Federal style
Part of Center Village District (ID77000198)
NRHP reference No. 70000897 [1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPDecember 30, 1970
Designated NHLDecember 30, 1970 [2]
Designated CPSeptember 15, 1977

The First Church of Christ, Unitarian, also known as First Church of Lancaster and colloquially as "the Bulfinch Church", is a historic congregation with its meeting house located at 725 Main Street facing the Common in Lancaster, Massachusetts. The church's fifth meeting house, built in 1816, was designed by architect Charles Bulfinch, and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1977, recognizing it as one of Bulfinch's finest works.

Contents

History

Meeting House (1815), Lancaster, Massachusetts.jpg

First Church of Christ was "gathered in 1653 by the Puritans of Massachusetts Bay Colony." [3] The town of Lancaster also dates from 1653. The current meeting house was built in 1816 of local brick and slate when Nathaniel Thayer was minister.

On December 30, 1970, the meeting house was added to the National Register of Historic Places [3] and designated a National Historic Landmark. [2] Architectural historian G. E. Kidder Smith has called it "one of the great federal style churches in the country." [4]

In May 2010, the Church began a restoration of the meeting house cupola and facade supported by contributions from the Bulfinch Fund, a secular organization dedicated to restoring Bulfinch's works. [5] Formerly a Congregational church, it is now Unitarian Universalist. Wil Darcangelo, M.Div, (also minister at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Fitchburg) is its current minister.

Architecture

The church is a rectangular structure with a projecting front section supporting a two-stage tower, and with an arcaded and pedimented portico at the very front. The portico consists of three high openings with round-arch tops, which frame three entry doors (the central one taller) behind. The arches are separated by pilasters, which rise to an entablature and a fully enclosed gable pediment. The pediment is lined by modillioned cornices, with plain brickwork in the tympanum. The sides of the portico are also arched and pilastered. The tower section, whose interior houses the vestibule area, rises the full width of the portico to the height of the gable peak, where there is a cornice line, above which rises the tower, flanked by carved wooden fan designs. The first stage of the tower is square, with clock faces adorning otherwise plain brick walls. Above a cornice is the second stage, a round section with a partially open belfry surrounded by twelve Ionic columns, which support an entablature and dentillated cornice. An attic section decorated with swag drapery rises above the belfry, and is topped by a round dome and weathervane. [6]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Stephen's Church (Boston, Massachusetts)</span> Historic church in Massachusetts, United States

St. Stephen's Church is a historic church in the North End of Boston, Massachusetts. It was built in 1802–1804 as the New North Church or New North Meeting House, and was designed by the noted architect Charles Bulfinch. It is the only one of the five churches Bulfinch designed in Boston to remain extant. The church replaced one which had been built on the site in 1714 and enlarged in 1730. The Congregationalist church became Unitarian in 1813, and the church was sold to the Roman Catholic Diocese in 1862, and renamed St. Stephen's. It was restored and renovated in 1964-65 by Chester F. Wright, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First Trinitarian Congregational Church</span> Historic church in Massachusetts, United States

The First Trinitarian Congregational Church is a historic Congregational church at 381 Country Way in Scituate, Massachusetts; it is associated with the United Church of Christ. The Classical Revival church building was constructed in 1826 after its congregation had left the First Parish Church of Scituate when it became Unitarian in theology. The church building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Methodist Episcopal Society of Tyringham</span> Historic church in Massachusetts, United States

Methodist Episcopal Society of Tyringham is a historic church at 128-130 Main Road in Tyringham, Massachusetts, and is presently the only church standing in the community. The property includes a Greek Revival church building built in 1844, and a parsonage house next door. Between 1844 and 1907, the church was also used for town meetings. The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bernardston Congregational Unitarian Church</span> Historic church in Massachusetts, United States

The Bernardston Congregational Unitarian Church is a historic church building at 49 Church Street in Bernardston, Massachusetts. The church is notable for the history of construction, movement, and reconstruction, since it was first erected in 1739, just two years after Bernardston was settled. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. Its congregation is affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association which was established in 1820.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First Congregational Church (Stoneham, Massachusetts)</span> Historic church in Massachusetts, United States

The First Congregational Church is an historic church in Stoneham, Massachusetts. Built in 1840, it is a fine local example of Greek Revival architecture, and is a landmark in the town center. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 13, 1984. The church is affiliated with the United Church of Christ; the current pastor is the Rev. Ken McGarry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rocky Hill Congregational Church</span> Historic church in Connecticut, United States

The Rocky Hill Congregational Church is a historic church at 805-817 Old Main Street in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, USA. Built in 1808 for a 1723 congregation, it is a distinctive late example of Georgian architecture, and a prominent landmark in the town center. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bedford Presbyterian Church</span> Historic church in New Hampshire, United States

The Bedford Presbyterian Church is a historic Presbyterian church building at 4 Church Road in Bedford, New Hampshire. The white clapboard structure was built in 1832 for a congregation organized in 1749 and was for many years the town's only church. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. It is the oldest Presbyterian church building in the state and in the Presbytery of Northern New England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Church of Christ in Keene</span> Historic church in New Hampshire, United States

The United Church of Christ in Keene is a historic Congregational church at 23 Central Square in Keene, New Hampshire, United States. First built in 1786, and then moved and restyled in the 19th century, it is a prominent visual and architectural landmark in downtown Keene. The church and its adjacent parish house were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Parish</span> Historic church in New Hampshire, United States

South Parish is the historic name of a church at 292 State Street in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in the United States. The church building, built in 1824-26, is one of the earliest examples of Classical Revival architecture in New England, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Parish Church</span> Historic church in Maine, United States

The First Universalist Church, also once known as the Central Parish Church, is a historic church at 97 Main Street in Yarmouth, Maine. Built in 1859–60, it is an excellent local example of religious Italianate architecture, and one of the state's few surviving churches designed by architect Thomas Holt. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. The congregation was founded in 1859, and is affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association; its current minister is Rev. Hillary Collins-Gilpatrick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Union Church (Phillips, Maine)</span> Historic church in Maine, United States

The Union Church, now Phillips Congregational Church, is a historic church on Main and Pleasant Streets in Phillips, Maine. Built in 1835, this Greek Revival church is the oldest religious building in the small community, and a distinctive local landmark. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elm Street Congregational Church and Parish House</span> Historic church in Maine, United States

The Elm Street Congregational Church and Parish House is a historic church complex at Elm and Franklin Streets in Bucksport, Maine. It includes a Greek Revival church building, built in 1838 to a design by Benjamin S. Deane, and an 1867 Second Empire parish house. The church congregation was founded in 1803; its present pastor is the Rev. Stephen York. The church and parish house were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Union Church (Buckfield, Maine)</span> Historic church in Maine, United States

The Union Church is a historic church on High Street, north of the center of Buckfield, Maine. Built in 1831-32, it is a well-proportioned Federal-style church with Gothic Revival alterations. It served for a time as Buckfield's town hall, and is now managed by the Town of Buckfield. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florona Grange No. 540 Hall</span> Historic church in Vermont, United States

Florona Grange No. 540 Hall is a historic Grange hall and former church on Monkton Road in Monkton, Vermont. Built in 1811 as the Monkton Borough Baptist Church, it is the second-oldest church in Addison County. it is a fine example of Federal architecture with later Greek Revival additions. Its initial design is based closely on designs published by Asher Benjamin. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guilford Center Meeting House</span> Historic church in Vermont, United States

The Guilford Center Meeting House, formerly the Guilford Center Universalist Church, is a historic building on Guilford Center Road in Guilford, Vermont. Built in 1837, it is a well-preserved example of transitional Greek Revival architecture. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. It is now owned by the local historical society as a community meeting and event space.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Village Meetinghouse</span> Historic church in Vermont, United States

The East Village Meetinghouse, also known as the Old Brick Church, is a historic church at 55 Vermont Route 14 in East Montpelier, Vermont. Built in 1833-34, it is a fine local example of Greek Revival architecture, and has been the focal point of the historic East Village for most of its history. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Christ Church (Bethel, Vermont)</span> Historic church in Vermont, United States

Old Christ Church is a historic Episcopal church at the junction of Vermont Route 12 and Gilead Brook Road in Bethel, Vermont. Built in 1823, it is a well-preserved Federal period church, lacking modern amenities such as electricity and plumbing. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008. It is used for services only during the summer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Universalist Church of Westfield Center</span> Historic church in Ohio, United States

The Universalist Church of Westfield Center is a historic church in Westfield Center, Ohio, United States. One of Ohio's oldest Universalist congregations, it has experienced a generally peaceful history since its establishment in the 1830s. Located on the village green, the congregation's church building has been named a historic site.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Ipswich Town Hall</span> United States historic place

The New Ipswich Town Hall is a historic academic and civic building on Main Street in the center village of New Ipswich, New Hampshire. The 1+12-story wood-frame structure was built in 1817 to serve the dual purpose of providing a town meeting place, and to provide space for a private academy. The building has been little altered since 1869, when it was substantially reconfigured solely for town use. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Huntington Lower Village Church</span> Historic church in Vermont, United States

The Huntington Lower Village Church, also known historically as the Huntington Union Meeting House, is a historic church building at 2156 Main Road in Huntington, Vermont. Built in 1870, it is a fine late example of Greek Revival architecture. It now houses the Huntington Public Library and serves as a community center. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

References

  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  2. 1 2 "First Church of Christ, Lancaster". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved April 12, 2008.
  3. 1 2 First Church of Christ Unitarian website
  4. G. E. Kidder Smith, Sourcebook of American Architecture: 500 Notable Buildings from the 10th Century to the Present (New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 1996), p. 160. ISBN   1568980256
  5. Restoration begins Worcester Telegram and Gazette, May 19, 2010
  6. "NHL nomination for First Church of Christ, Unitarian". National Park Service. Retrieved November 29, 2014.

Further reading

42°27′19.6″N71°40′23.0″W / 42.455444°N 71.673056°W / 42.455444; -71.673056