Nomination for First Universalist Chruch

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

NI Form 10-300 (July 1969) PH0005797 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE HB No uTm 2. 3. 5.

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM STATE: Massachusetts COUNTY: Barnstable FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER (Type all entries - complete applicable sections) DATE FEB 23 1972 NAME COMMON: AND/ OR HISTORIC: First Universalist Church Church of the Redeemer LOCATION STREET AND NUMBER: 236 Commercial Street CITY OR TOWN: Provincetown Congressional District 12 STATE CODE COUNTY: CODE Massachusetts 025 Barnstable 001 CLASSIFICATION CATEGORY OWNERSHIP STATUS (Check One) - District Building Site Structure Object Public Private Both Public Acquisition: - In Process Being Considered Occupied Unoccupied Preservation work in progress ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC Yes: Restricted L Unrestricted No PRESENT USE (Check One or More as Appropriate) Agricultural Government Commercial Industrial Educational - Military Entertainment Museum 4 L OWNER OF PROPERTY OWNER'S NAME: First Universalist Parish STREET AND NUMBER: 236 Commercial Street CITY OR TOWN: Provincetown LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE, REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC: Barnstable County Registry of Deeds STREET AND NUMBER: Park Private Residence Religious Scientific L Transportation - Other (Specify) - Comments STATE: Massachusetts CODE 025 CITY OR TOWN: Barnstable STATE Massachusetts CODE 025 Barnstable 4 REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS (continuation sheet) TITLE OF SURVEY: Inventory of Historic Assets of the Commonwealth DATE OF SURVEY: 1970 Federal XState DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS: Massachusetts Historical Commission STREET AND NUMBÉR: Office of the Secretary, State House CITY OR TOWN: Boston STATE: Massachusetts COUTYTATIOXA REGIS 197, STATE: COUNTY: ENTRY NUMBER Toli -CODE 025 23 19 DATE FOR NPS USE ONLY po.

,° -30-72 -Joo (Check One) Deteriorated DESCRIPTION Excellent - Good X Fair Ruins CONDITION (Check One) (Check One) - Altered -X Unaltered Moved - Unexposed X Origiral Site DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (if known) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

In the spring of 1847, the First Universalist Church of Provincetown decided to build a new church in order to provide space for its growing congre- gation. The church, set slightly back from Commercial Street, is now crowded on all sides by late nineteenth and twentieth century buildings. The exterior of the structure is walled with white clapboards and decorated with classical elements. The gable façade is divided into three bays by means of four giant pilasters decorated with recessed panels. These pilasters support a simple banded entablature and blank pediment. The entablature continues along the side elevations where it is supported by corner pilasters. The central bay of the gable end contains a doorway flanked by smaller pilasters and headed by a shelf entablature. The fenestration in each flanking bay is composed of four sash windows placed 2 over 2.

These are incorporated into a single large unit by a common lintel and sill. The unit is divided vertically by a mullion and horizontally by 2 panels with a meander motif. Three similar window units break each side elevation. The three stage steeple, which rises from the roof of the auditorium, has been for many years incorrectly identified with the style of Sir Christopher Wren. However, the proportions, massing and handling of classical detail are pure Greek Revival, of which style the steeple is an excellent example. The most significant feature of the church is the trompe f'oeil treatment of the auditorium. The wallpainting in egg tempera is the work of Carl Wendte, a young German artist. Wendte had traveled and studied in Italy which accounts for the Italianate flavor of the murals. The focal point of the auditorium is the illusionary apse behind the pulpit.

The apse is a typical basilican feature, as is the coffered dome which is painted in perspective on the ceiling. Roman motifs are used throughout the mural. The Corinthian order is used for the pilasters which divide the walls into bays; two- stage recessed panels have been painted between the bays; an entablature above the pilasters "supports" the flat arched and coffered ceiling; egg and dart molding outlines the coffers within the dome; and paterae decorate some of the coffers. 10 16117 RECÊIVED 10 NATION REGIS M M - Z INSTRUCTIONS

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD (Check One or More as Appropriate) - Pre-Columbian| 15th Century 16th Century 17th Century 18th Century 19th Century 20th Century SPECIFIC DATE(S) (If Applicable and Known) 1847 AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE (Check One or More as Appropriate) Abor iginal Education Prehistoric Engineering Historic Industry Agriculture -Invention Architecture Landscape Art Architecture Commerce Literature - Communications Conservation Military Music Political Religion/Phi- losophy Science Sculpture Social/Human- itarian Theater Transportation Urban Planning Other (Specify) STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Statement of significance

The First Universalist Church is the second home of the Unitarian parish founded in Provincetown in 1829. The church was begun in 1847 and, according to local sources, is the oldest building on the Lower Cape still in its original state and being used for its original purpose. The most significant features of thed che ehhrie its eraborene three-stand toe ero oite ( oeil pa intiogsectich called the "Christopher Wren Tower, decorate its ceilings and walls. The Universalist Church was built by ship's carpenters under the supervision of Benjamin Hallet of Barnstable. The immediate model for the building, with the exception of the tower, was a small church constructed in Fall River, Massachusetts, in 1845. Only the entrance and auditorium of the Provincetown Church were finished in 1847; the remaining sections of the building were not completed until the 1860s.

The trompe d'oeil paintings of the auditorium are the work of a young German artist, Carl Wendte. Born in Verden, Hannover, in 1820, Wendte studied art in Siena, Italy, and became expert in the use of fresco and tempera. In 1841, Wendte and his wife came to America and settled in Boston. The painter's reputation gradually grew and his murals appeared in a number of New England churches. Wendte's work in the Universalist Church was done in egg tempera and shows the influence of his study of Italian churches. Atter leaving Provincetown, Wendte accepted a commission for a church in Boston; while working there he was stricken with pneumonia and died in 1848, at the age of 28. The tracher organ, which was installed in the First Universalist Church in 1850, is the oldest on Cape Cod.

Its carved wooden pilasters framing the organ pipes are copies of the pilasters which appear in Wendte's murals. The original chandealier still hangs in the church and has globes, fonts and prisms of Sandwich Glass. RECEIVEO NUV 22 1971 NATIONAL REGISTE: 6!1

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Barrie, Steve, A History of the First Universalist Church of Provincetown, Provincetown, 1971. Smith, Simeon C., Leaves From an Old Church Record Book, Boston, Universalist Publishing House, 1922. 10. GEOGRAPHICAL DATA LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES DEFINING A RECTANGLE LOCATING THE PROPERTY DEFINING THE CENTER POINT OF A PROPERTY R OF LESS THAN TEN ACRES CORNER LATITUDE LONGITUDE LATITUDE LONGI TUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds NW 42 03* NE 03 1/2 70° 11' 17" SE SW APPROXIMATE ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY: c. 1 acre ILIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES STATE: CODE COUNTY CODE STATE: CODE STATE: CODE STATE: CODE FORMPREPARED BY NAME AND TITLE: Anne R.

Wardwell, Survey Director ORGANIZATION Massachusetts Historical Commission STREET AND NUMBER: Office of the Secretary, State House CITY OR TOWN: Boston STATE LIAISON OFFICER CERTIFICATION As the designated State Liaison Officer for the Na- tional Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-665), I hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service. The recommended level of significance of this nomination is: National State Local Name hlF.xKorren Secretary of the Commonwealth and Chairman, Massachusetts Historical Title Commission Date November 5, 1971 COUNTY: CODE COUNTY: CODE COUNTY: CODE DATE August 27, 1971 ISTATE CODE 025 Massachusetts NATIONAL REGISTER VERIFICATION I hereby certify that this property is included in the Nationa1 Register.

31|14 Lumnt Wlu Chief, Oftice of Archeology and Historit Predekption FEB 2 3 1972 Date REGIST NATION ATTEST: Date Vrlleuu Keeper of the drgional Fegister FEB LoN 6T18 Jist Uneversalist DATE OF RESEIPP 11/22/91 Xzis DATA PACE 2 PHOTO (S) VPEODO DESCRIPIION (S) 42 MAP (S) 1 MAP DESCRIPPION (S) LOGGED ACKEOWLEDGE -, 11/22/71 RESUBVIL Teck. 12/39/1I ok jlj REVXEH HISTORLAR ARCHOLOCISD ARCATTECT .6S2. KBEPRA KESPER MRISZR/EDIDOR CHET, OAI? IDTRORIAL PROCESSING, EDITOR Peacral Register Intry 4-4-72 Anmuol Eaition Entry Loggea FEB 23 1972 Card FEB 23 1972 CONG TT RECEiVED NUV 22 1971 NATIONAL REGISTER co Burnstable STAEE Mass REGISTER NUUBIR: FEB 2 3 1972 Olipy Sales Chamben 1-2572 22/12 of mar /25/72 2-23 ok ED 2/2/72 WORKING NUDR 11.22.21.2 Canh dist. #12 UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, SHOWING SIR CHRISTOPHER WREN TOWE PROVINCETOWN. MASS. Prameston man. Te st.

The Fant knuvesahsl IL: ehbansed UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM (Type all entries - attach to or enclose with photograph) Post Card STATE Massachusetts COUNTY Barnstable FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER DATE FEB 23 1972 NAME COMMON: First Universalist Church AND/OR HISTORIC: Church of the Redeemer LOCA TION STREET AND NUMBER: 236 Commercial Street CITY OR TOWN: Provincetown STATE: CODE COUNTY: 025 PHOTO Massachusetts REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT: DATE OF PHOTO: 1971 NEGATIVE FILED AT: Barnstable photo supplied by The Restoration Committee of the lower Cape The Restoration Committee of thelower Cape, P.O. Box 603, Provincetown, MA 02657 IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. exterior - main façade CODE 001 RECENED NUV 22 1971 NATIONAL REGISTE PROPERTY OF THE MATIONAL REGISTER Puuuncetoun Mass.

Firit Unuversalist Chunde 236 Commercial St. This photgroph was Tahen many yeurs ago. photographer is anhnwr shows the alter and tha marvalous Tromp l'veil niche. NPS Number- 7eb23,1972 73430: Furst Unisesabit Churck Loc.. Banstabse Canty II Auditarium interior PROPERTY OF TIE NATIONAL REGISTER Form 10-301 (July 1969) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY MAP FORM (Type all entries - attach to or enclose with map) STATE Massachusetts COUNTY Barnstable FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER FEB 231972 - = Z - NAME coMMON: First Universalist Church AND/ OR HISTORIC: Church of the Redeemer LOCATION STREET AND NUM BER: 236 Commercial Street CITY OR TOWN: Provincetown STATE: CODE 025 Massachusetts MAP REFERENCE SOURCE: U. S. G. S. : Provincetown, Mass. SCALE: 1 : 24,000 DATE: 1958 REQUIREMENTS TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL MAPS 1.

Property broundaries where required. 2. North arrow. 3. Latitude and longitude reference. COUNTY: CODE 001 Barnstable 161/> RECENVEDI 22 1971 NATION^ REGIS SITTET WITLET Pasture Pond Cla ona WINTI Saankrg Cem Shank Painter Pond Telegraph Wood End Bar 18 51161 RECEÎVED .... 22 1971 NATIO REGIS : TTETT MI 0L 135 NEW 1UI XBM vincetow coma /Cem Whar 42° 05 70 17" PROVINCEIO WN. 29 HARBOR 54 Pila FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, PROVINCETOWN jouse U.S.G.S.: Provincetown, 1958 Mass. Scale: 1 : 24,000 102 Wood End Lighthouse or US Coast Guard Station Wood End- 123 125 103 126 115 123 B Tida Flat 24 92 73 88 407 112 112 402 102 A 99 82 Y 403 10 404 ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE Date Entered FEB 2 3 1972 Name Merrell Tavorn. Morthborourh Town-Hall Pirst beptist Church 0ld County Court llouse Trinfty Fectory St.

Lnke's Episcopal Church Crowninshiold House Pirst Univezsaltst Church Location South Iee Ferkshire County Northhorough Morceater County Eoston Suttolk County Piymouth Plynouth County Eeston Suffolk County Lanesberough Berksnire County Boston Suffolk County Provincetown Damnstable County Buckland Franklin County Griswold (Major Joseph) Houso Also Notified Hon. Edward M. Kennedy Fon, iuward i. arooke Ion. Silvio o. Conte Fon. Marolá D. Donohue Mon. Tionas P. Oleil1, JI. Lon. Hestings koich Director, Northeast Region HR NRowland: mm 2/16/72 State Liaison Officcr lion. John F. X. Daveren Sccretery of the Conmonwealth Chatrman, Massachusstis fistorical Cormineion Ofcioe ol the Secrotary Statc Eouge Boston, Massechusetts 02133 Sally collette John F. X.

Daroren Secretary of the Commonwealch The Commonwvealth of Massachusetts Office of the Secretary Massachusetts Hislenical Commissicn 3 Jog Ineet Boston. Mass. 02108 October 30, 1972 vusyo dijiet Mr. Jerxy Rogers, Director of Registration Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation National Park Service 1100 L Street, Nw Washington, D.C. 20005 Dear Jerry, Re: Moval and demolition and changes to be made of National Register properties in Massachusetts The Loammi Baldwin Mansion, Woburn, Middlesex County, has been moved with an OAHP grant to Alfred Street, Woburn. A map indicating coordinates and new location is enclosed. The Barnstable Old Jail, Barnstable, Barnstable County, was moved with and OAHP grant to Route 6A,Barnstable (next east to the Trayser Museum). A map indicating coordinates and new location is enclosed.

Foster's Block, 404-406 Main Street, Worcester, Worcester County, has been demolished. Your office is already aware that the Rotch Counting House, 123 Front Street, New Bedford, Bristol County, has also been demolished. Enclosed,too, is an additional photograph of the North Easton Historic District, Easton, Bristo1 County, which Nationâl Register form is in your emergency or "quick" processing file. Finally, a representative of the owner of the First Universalist Church, Provincetown, Barnstable County, has notified us that the condition of this building has changed from "good" to "fair! Sincerely yours, Quuz Anne Wardwell Survey Director AW/p1w encls. ms FUNDED FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH (25-74- 00100-00). Provincetown, Barnstable Co. Private ownership (Church Parish). Greek Revi- val Church significant for its interior trompe d'oeil painting.

Project work, including stabiliza- tion of the Church and bell tower. $4,500.