First Congregational Church (Stoneham, Massachusetts)

First Congregational Church
First Congregational Church
Location 1 Church St., Stoneham, Massachusetts
Coordinates 42°28′51″N 71°06′00″W / 42.48073°N 71.09996°WCoordinates: 42°28′51″N 71°06′00″W / 42.48073°N 71.09996°W
Built 1840
Architect Unknown
Architectural style Greek Revival
Governing body Private
Part of Central Square Historic District (#89002277)
MPS Stoneham MRA
NRHP Reference #

84002609

[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP April 13, 1984
Designated CP January 17, 1990

The First Congregational Church is an historic church located at 1 Church Street (corner of Main Street) 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.[1] The church is affiliated with the United Church of Christ; the current pastor is the Rev. Meredith Allen.

Description and history

Stoneham's First Congregation Church is set on the east side of Main Street (Massachusetts Route 28), just north of the town common, which is across Church Street. The main sanctuary is a rectangular wood frame building, with a gable roof and a brick foundation. The front facade, facing west, is flushboarded, while the remaining sides are clapboarded. The main facade is divided into three bays by Doric pilasters, each bay having an entrance at the ground level with a window above. The pilasters support an entablature that extends around the sides of the building, with a fully-pedimented gable end above. The pediment has a triangular window at its center. The tower rises from the ridge line near the front, with a plain square stage rising to a louvered belfry stage and an octagonal spire.[2] Modern facilities are added to the rear of the building.

The church congregation was organized in 1726; this, its third sanctuary, was built in 1840 after the second one burned.[2] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, and was included as part of the Central Square Historic District in 1990.[1] It is the meeting location of Boy Scout Troop 513.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2008-04-15.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "MACRIS inventory record and NRHP nomination for First Congregational Church". Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved 2015-05-01.
  3. ↑ Troop 513 Stoneham, MA "...meets every week at the First Congregational Church..." Retrieved April 12, 2013.

External links