North Avenue Congregational Church | |
Location | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
---|---|
Coordinates | 42°23′11″N71°07′07″W / 42.38639°N 71.11861°W Coordinates: 42°23′11″N71°07′07″W / 42.38639°N 71.11861°W |
Built | 1845 |
Architectural style | Greek Revival |
MPS | Cambridge MRA |
NRHP reference No. | 83000819 [1] |
Added to NRHP | June 30, 1983 |
North Avenue Congregational Church (now known as John and Carol Moriarty Library, and previously as Old Cambridge Baptist Church and North Prospect Congregational Church and Prospect Hall) is a historic church meetinghouse at 1801 [2] (previously at 1803 [3] ) Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was completely renovated in 2015 to become a library for Lesley University. The former church now forms part of what is now the Lunder Arts Center complex.
The church was originally built in 1845 on Kirkland Street near Harvard Square, for the Old Cambridge Baptist Church congregation, to designs by local architect Isaac Melvin. It was sold to the North Avenue Congregational Society in 1866 at which time it was renamed the North Avenue Congregational Church. In 1867 it was moved up Massachusetts Avenue (called North Avenue at the time) to a site immediately north of its current location. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, [4] and sold to Lesley University in 2006 subsequent to the movement of the congregation to Medford, Massachusetts. [5]
The university used the former church primarily as an auditorium and lecture hall space following its purchase until preparations for the Lunder Arts Center began. Prior to renovation, the university sold or donated many of the church fixtures. A new home was found for the historic 18-foot organ, in a Texas church. [6] The stained-glass windows, however, were restored and were returned to the building after renovations. In addition to the window restoration, the historic exterior details of the building were restored. A cupola, which is a reproduction of the former belfry c. 1900, was added, with the original weathervane atop. [7]
The renovated building houses a library specializing in Art and Art History for Lesley's College of Art and Design (previously located in the Kenmore area of Boston).
On December 5, 2013, the university moved the building approximately 100 feet south on its lot to make way for the new building at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Roseland Street, between the church and the adjacent University Hall building. The new location changes the building's address from 1803 Massachusetts Avenue to 1801. [8]
The building's simple, rectangular plan was originally four bays deep with a tall, multi-stage spire surmounting a projecting entrance portico; it then resembled Charles Bulfinch's New South Church in Boston (1814) though in Greek Revival form with Egyptian columns. The addition of a chancel and transepts in 1872 created a cruciform plan. The original three-stage tower and spire, similar to that of the New South Church, was damaged in a storm, and in 1906 its upper two round stages and spire were replaced with a square belfry and a copper dome. Today's eight-faceted spire was built in 1964 after the dome was struck by lightning and caught fire, and now only the pedimented first stage of the original steeple remains. [4]
Porter Square is a neighborhood in Cambridge and Somerville, Massachusetts, located around the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Somerville Avenue, between Harvard and Davis Squares. The Porter Square station serves both the MBTA Red Line and the Commuter Rail Fitchburg Line. A major part of the Lesley University campus is located within the Porter Square area.
Lesley University is a private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. As of 2018-19 Lesley University enrolled 6,593 students.
United Parish of Auburndale, formerly the Auburndale Congregational Church, is a historic church at 64 Hancock Street in the Auburndale village of Newton, Massachusetts. Built in 1857 for an 1850 congregation and repeatedly enlarged, it is a prominent regional example of Romanesque architecture in wood. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 4, 1986.
Allston Congregational Church is a historic Congregational church building at 31-41 Quint Avenue in the Allston neighborhood Boston, Massachusetts. Built in 1890–91 to a design by Allston native Eugene L. Clark, it is a prominent local example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture. The property includes a Shingle style parsonage built about the same time. The buildings were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. The building presently houses a mosque and the Palestinian Cultural Center for Peace.
Christ The King Presbyterian Church is a Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) church, founded in 1995. It occupies the historic building of the former Prospect Congregational Church, located at 99 Prospect Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts near Central Square.
Union Congregational Church is an historic Congregational church at 265 West Brittania Street in Taunton, Massachusetts. The church was built in 1872-73 on land donated by the owner of the Whittenton Mills, and is a nearly unaltered example of Stick/Eastlake style architecture. The church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
The First Universalist Church is a historic Universalist Church building at 125 Highland Avenue in Somerville, Massachusetts. The Romanesque church building was built between 1916 and 1923 to a design by Ralph Adams Cram, and is the only example of his work in Somerville. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. It is currently owned by the Highland Masonic Building Association, and is the home of King Solomon's Lodge AF & AM, the builders of the Bunker Hill Monument.
The former First Unitarian Church is a historic church building at 130 Highland Avenue in Somerville, Massachusetts. The stone church was built in 1894 for a Unitarian congregation. It was designed by Hartwell & Richardson and is a good example of Richardsonian Romanesque design. The building presently (2022) houses the Mission Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
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.
The First Congregational Church of Blandford is a historic church building at 4 North Street in the center of Blandford, Massachusetts. Built in 1822, it is a prominent example of a Federal-style church, built by a leading regional proponent of the style, builder Isaac Damon. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. It is now managed by a local nonprofit as a special event venue.
First Congregational Church of East Longmeadow is a historic church in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Built in 1828, it is the oldest church building in East Longmeadow, and houses its oldest congregation. The church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The congregation is affiliated with the United Church of Christ.
The Trinity Church, formerly the First Congregational Church, is a historic church in Waltham, Massachusetts. The present church building, an architecturally distinctive blend of Romanesque and Georgian Revival styling, was built in 1870 for a congregation established in 1820. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
Highrock Church is an Evangelical Covenant Church congregation located in Arlington, Massachusetts. Founded in 1999, it occupies the former Saint Athanasius Greek Orthodox Church at 735 Massachusetts Avenue in the town center. The building, constructed in 1841 and restyled in 1860, is a prominent regional example of Italianate ecclesiastical architecture, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
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.
The Avon Congregational Church is a Congregational Church building at 6 West Main Street in Avon, Connecticut. Built in 1819 for a congregation founded in 1754, it is a high-quality example of Federal period architecture, and one of the finest works of architect David Hoadley. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. The congregation is affiliated with the United Church of Christ.
The First Congregational Church is a historic church building at 20 Church Street in Alton, New Hampshire, United States. Built in 1853–54, it is one of Belknap County's finest Greek Revival churches. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
South Congregational Church is a historic church building at 58 S. Main Street in Newport, New Hampshire. The two-story brick church was built in 1823 by the carpenter John Leach for a congregation established in 1779, and is the most northerly of a series of rural churches based on a design used by Elias Carter in the design of the Congregational church in Templeton, Massachusetts. The church building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. The congregation is affiliated with the United Church of Christ.
Spurwink Congregational Church is a historic church at 533 Spurwink Avenue in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Built in 1802 and significantly renovated in 1830, it is the town's oldest public building. Home to an active congregation until 1957, it is now owned by the town, serving as a community function space. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.
The Swanton Christian Church, formerly the First Congregational Church of Swanton, Old Brick Meetinghouse, and New Wine Christian Fellowship is a historic church in the village of Swanton, Vermont. Built in 1823 and remodeled in 1869, it is a prominent landmark in the village, and a fine local example of Italianate styling on a Federal period building. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.
The Fourth Congregational Church, also known historically as the Horace Bushnell Congregational Church and now as the Liberty Christian Center International, is a historic church at Albany Avenue and Vine Street in Hartford, Connecticut. The church building was built in 1913-14 using parts of an older Greek Revival church, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 for its architecture and role in local historical preservation efforts.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)