Nomination for St. Michael's Church

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

- un Form 10-300 (Rev. 6-72) PH0006386HB Z,n19 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 347540 4707220 DB -73 000305 STATE: Massachusetts COUNTY: NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM Essex FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY DATE (Type all entries complete applicable sections) JUN 1 8 1973 NAME C OMMON: St. Michael's Church AND/ OR HISTORIC: St.

Michael's Church LOCATION STREET AND NUMBER: 26 Pleasant Street CITY OR TOWN: Marblehead CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Sixth STATE CODE COUNTY: CODE Massachusetts CLASSIFICATION 025 Essex 009 CATEGORY OWNERSHIP STATUS (Check One) District Building Site Structure Object Public Private Both Public Acquisition: - In Process Being Considered Occupied Unoccupied L ] Preservation work in progres: ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC Yes: Restricted Unrestricted No PRESENT USE (Check One or More as Appropriate) Agricultural Government Commercial Industrial Educational Military Entertainment Museum Park Private Residence Religious Scientific OWNER OF PROPERTY OWNER'S NAME: The Episcopal Church of Marblehead STREET AND NUMBER: Transportation - Other (Specity) - Comments Summer Street CITY OR TOWN: Marblehead LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE, REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC: Essex County Registry of Deeds STREET AND NUMBER: Federal Street CITY OR TOWN: STATE: Massachusetts CODE 025 Massachusetts Essex STATE Marblehead Massachusetts REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE OF SURVEY: Inventory of Historic Assets of the Commonwealth DATE OF SURVEY: 1965 X State DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS: Massachusetts Historical Commission STREET AND NUMBER: 40 Beacon Street CITNOR TOWN: Boston STATE: Massachusetts County CODE MII5I 6 025 RECEVED APp Atkagal GISTER NAL ETT IIL CODE 025 STATE- COUNTY: ENLRY NUMBER 18 FOR NPS USE ONLY 611 17 DESCRIPTION (Check One) - Deteriorated APR 072 Excellent NATICCONPITION- Good (Check One) - Fair REGISTER X Altered - Unaltered Moved Ruins - Unexposed (Check One) riginal Site DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (if known) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

I Michael's Church, 26 Pleasant Street, is situated on a knoll and, before later construction and landscaping surrounded it, was a prominent landmark when seen from the harbor. The church land extends north from Summer Street to Pleasant Street with a small area on Washington Street to the east. main entrance faces Summer Street and is reached by a semi-circular drive surrounded by lawn and large trees. To the east of the building is a small, early graveyard. The recent parish house is to the west of the church on a lower level and is connected to it by a passageway. Typical of old Marble- head, the nearby houses have all been built in close proximity to the church and each other. Built in 1714-15, the church is of narrow clapboard with a foundation of native stone. Originally the building was forty-eight feet square; in 1728 it was extended by fifteen feet on the north side.

When built the church was of an unusual design, apparently unique among contemporary meeting houses in New England, varying from them in roof design, plan, vaulting, and location of steeple. Concealed under the present massive hip roof, added in 1728, is the structure of the original roof, a parallel series of three elongated hipped roofs running in the east-west direction, joined to one another by means of a single ridge set perpendicularly along the north-south axis. Heavy beams were hollowed out to form a system of open wooden gutters, set at a steep pitch in the valleys, and designed to provide adequate drainage» The steeple was placed off-center over the central bay on the western side.

The fifty-three foot spire was removed from its bell tower base in 1793.- Originally the tower had one narrow round-topped window in each elevation; just prior to 1818 these windows were enlarged and their design changed to a modified Palladian motif. The square ground plan of the original interior is divided by four central columns into nine equal bays. Above these square bays is an unusual system of vaulting, with a pair of tunnel vaults intersecting to form a groined vault over the central bay. Wooden beams span the distance from the four central piers to the outer walls, thus serving at the same time to support Ben watia, chus sor vang the ceiling and the structure of the roof above. The ceiling above the fifteen foot, 1728 extension is not vaulted; this extension added three bays.

In 1732 the brass chandelier was acquired and in 1763 the gallery was enlarged to accommodate the choir. The porch and double entry steps were added to the south entrance in 1773. All the windows originally had small panes and were set in a double row in each elevation, the upper row round-headed. In 1832 the windows in the south front elevation were removed and replaced with the present small Gothic-arched openings on the upper level only. The side elevation windows are now full length, also Gothic-arched, containing stained glass added in 1888. Beneath the church is a sepulchre, unusual for this country, where for over one hundred years pew owners and their families were privileged to be 70 Form 10-300a (July 1969) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM (Continuation Sheet) St.

Michael's Church, Marblehead STATE Massachusetts COUNTY Essex FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER JUN 18 DATE (Number all entries) 7. (con't) interred. St. Michael's Church is located near the center of one of Marblehead's two local historic districts, the Old Town Historic District. 151/161 RECEIVED 11/181 APR 2 5 1973 21|131 NATIONAL REGISTER TITTZL GPO 921.724 Z

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 1714} 1831 18th Century 19th Century - 20th Century SPECIFIC DATE(S) (If Applicable and Known) 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 Military Conservation Music - Political X] Religion/Phi- losophy Science Sculpture Social/Human- itarian Theater Transportation 16 M Urban Planning Other/(Specify) APp XATIONAK 2 5 1978 REGISTER STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Statement of significance

St. Michael's Church in Marblehead is believed to be the oldest Episcopal Church still in use in New England."It was conceived as a feturn to the Anglican religion in 1714 by dissenters rebelling against the rule of Puritans and other independent religions. The "Benefactors" included thirty captains of vessels with the main contributor Colonel Nicholson, colonial governor of New York, Maryland and Virginia. An initial four hundred and sixteen pounds was raised to establish the church. Shortly thereafter a group of forty one contributed an additional three hundred and seventy three pounds for the building of a "Handsome Church in the Town of Marblehead". The church was completed in June, 1715 and its first minister, William Shaw, arrived from England a month later.

Difficulties soon developed in this predominately Congregational town, where the Anglican parish was forced to contribute to the support of other churches and "meetings", until a ruling was obtained from Governor Shute making such contributions voluntary. As the parish was poor and had extended itself too far in building the church, it was slow in acquiring the necessary church appointments. A bell was acquired in 1717, the communion service was given in 1724 and the chan- delier in 1732. The ministers put out constant appeals for prayer books. Tradition has it that the bell was later cracked from continuous ringing to celebrate the news of the Declaration of Independence. The bell was recast in 1818 by Paul Revere and is still in use. The congregation increased for a period, its new affluence allowing, in 1728, the purchase of contiguous land and a fifteen foot addition to the building.

After his visit in July 1744, Dr. Alexander Hamilton described the church's appointments in enthusiastic detail. The church enjoyed increasing attendance and properity, continuing to offer prayers for the royal family, until the time of the American Revolution when many Loyalists were forced to either leave the country or suppress their sympathies. Attendance decreased until 1818 when the church suspended services. During the 1820's a succession of ministers and a determined Anglican parish kept the church open, despite a move from the nearby Congregational Church to recharter St. Michael's as a Congregational meeting. However, in the years 1827-1831, the church was forced to close again. When it reopened in 1831, extensive repairs were necessary; these interior and exterior alterations transformed St. Michael's into a building of essentially Gothic

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Bulletin of the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities. Vol. LIL, No. 4, Spring 1962, Serial no. 188. vol. LIII, No.2, Fall 1962, Serial no. 190. Church records, St. Michael's Church, Marblehead. Itinerarium, by Dr. Alexander Hamilton, ed. by Albert B.Hart, St.Louis, 1909. A Topographical and Historical Account of Marblehead by Isaac Mansfield, Boston, 1802. 0. GEOGRAPHICAL DATA LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES DEFINING A RECTANGLE LOCATING THE PROPERTY LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE COORDINATES DEFINING THE CENTER POINT OF A PHOPERTY _OF LESS THAN IEN ACRES CORNER LATITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds LONGITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds LATITUDE LONGITUDE Degrees Minutes Seconds Degrees Minutes Seconds NW 42 0 30 15 - 70 - 51- 05" NE SE SW APPROXIMA TE ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY: ç.

}.acre LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNT&BOUNDARIES STATE: CODE COUNTY CODE 100 STATE: CODE COUNTY: STATE: CODE COUNTY: STATE: CODE COUNTY: 5 APp ECEIVEL 25 1973 NATIONAL REGISTER CODE co CODE CODE FORMPREPARED BY NAME AND TITLE: Elizabeth R. Amadon ORGANIZATION State Survey Director DATE Massachusetts Historical Commission STREET AND NUMBER: February 20,1973 40 Beacon Street CITY OR TOWN: STATE CODE 025 Boston STATE LIAISON OFFICER CERTIFICATION Massachusetts NATIONAL REGISTER VERIFICATION 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 c-iteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service.

The recommended level of significance of this nomination is: National State Local I hereby certify that this property is included in the Nationa 1 Register. Poberta Ltly Director, Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation Name ht.xDonoue JOHN F.X. DAVOREN, Secretary of the Commonwealth and Chairman of the Title Massachusetts Historical Commission Date 6/18/73 ATTEST: April 18, 1973 Date Date HBradolo onal Register pue yu2 GP0 931-894 Form 10-300a (July 1969) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM (Continuation Sheet) St. Michael's Church, Marblehead STATE Massachusetts COUNTY Essex FOR NPS USE ONLY ENTRY NUMBER JUN 1 8 /973 DATE (Number all entries) 8. (con't) Revival appearance.

Many of the interior embellishments have since been removed, such as the florid frescoes on the walls and ceilings, but the slip pews and stained glass windows remain. St. Michael's Church represents the initial introduction of a specifically Anglican-conformist architecture in Congregational-nonconformist New England. Undoubtedly influenced by small English churches designed by Christopher wren, its unique plan with four central columns and intersecting vaults above was a marked innovation in the history of New England ecclesiastical architecture. 51 16/ 3114 RECÊIVED APR 2 5 1973 N NATIONAL REGISTER ll0 I1L GP O 921.724 PROPERTY St.

Michuel's Cuuck SATE Maos WORKING NUMBER 4.25.73.2853 TECH REVIEW Photos_ / Maps Essex CONTROL REVIEW HISTORIAN ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN 5-14- OK 13 Accept 5-3.5730 KH 5/30/73 ARCHEOLOGIST REVIEW UNIT CHIEF BRANCH CHIEF KEEPER 6/4/73 National Register write-up _ Federal Register entry_8-7-73 Send-back Re-submit Entered JN 1 8 1973 ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH SUMMER ST. MARBLEHEAD PHOTO +NEG-SAMUEL CHAMBERLAIN MARBLEHEAD C.1970 SIUTH- EHST FACHDE FORM 10-301 A (6/72) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPH FORM (Type all entries - attach to or en close with photograph) 1. NAME COMMON AND/OR HISTORIC NUMERIC CODE (Assigned by NPS) St. Michael's Church same 2. LOCATION STATE Massachusetts STREET AND NUMBER COUNTY Essex TOWN Marblehead 26 Pleasant Street 3.

PHOTO REFERENCE PHOTO CREDIT Samuel Chamberlain DATE NEGATIVE FILED AT 1970 St. Michael's church 4. IDENTIFICATION DESCRIBE VIEW, DIRECTION, ETC. Main entrance, southeast facade facing Pleasant street APp 5 NATIONAL 1973 REGISTER EIT TIL! 1 8 1973 GPO 932-009 Form 10-301 (July 1968) 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) AND/OR HISTORIC 1. NAME COMMON St. Michael's Church 2. LOCATION STATE Massachusetts STREET AND NUMBER NUMERIC CODE (Assigned by NPS) 1973 18 COUNTY Essex TOWN Marblehead 26 Pleasant Street 3. MAP REFERENCE SOURCE U.S.G.S. Marblehead North, Mass. DATE 1956 REQUIREMENTS: PROPERTY BOUNDARIES, WHERE REQUIRED, AND NORTH ARROW: SCALE 1:24,000 N 51L 161 RECEiVED APp 5 NATIONAL 19% REGISTER GPO 932.010 GK BTH CHAGTD John F. X.

Daroren Secretary of the Commonwealth The Commonwealth of Massackusetts Cffice of the Secretary Massachusetts Histonical Commission g-for-Stweet Boston. Mass. 02108 40 Beacon Street (617) 727-8470 April 20, 1973 National Register of Historic Places Department of the Interior National Park Service 18th and C Streets,N.w. washington, D.C. 20240 Attention: Mr. Jerry Rogers CERTIFIED MAIL 3)141151/15 PECNED 1973 NATIONAL REGISTER Dear Jerry: Enclosed is the National Register nomination for: Essex County, Marblehead, St. Michael's Church This has been declared eligible for submission by the Massachusetts Historical Commission, the State Review Board, and has been signed by Secretary of the Commonwealth John F.X. Davoren, Chairman of the Massachusetts Historical Commission and designated State Liaison Officer. Cordially, Robert B.

Rettig Executive Director Massachusetts Historical Commission ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE MASSACHUSETTS JUN 18 375 Date Entered Name St. Michael'a Church Location Marblehead Essex County Also Notified Hon. Edward M. Kennedy Hon. Edward W. Brooke Hon. Michael J, Hazrington Director, Northeast Region \PHR, MMOTT: so-p 6/21/73 State Historic Preservation Officer lon. John P.X. Davoren Secretary of the Conmonvealth Chairuan, Massachusetts Historical Counission 40 Beacon Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 *NOTIFICATION OF GRANT-IN-AID ACTION 1. STATE APPLICATION IDENTIFIER 74070490 3. GRANTOR: a. Federal agency Department of the Interior b. Organizational unit National Park Service c. Administering office - (1) Name Division of Grants (2) Address - Street or P.O. Box 18th and C Streets, NW. 4. FEDERAL AGENCY GRANT IDENTIFIER: a. Code b. Title 2.

(Reserved for use by State central information reception ayency) City Washington State D.C. Zip Code 20240 25-75-00252-00 c. Purpose St. Michael's Church Development The church's entrance stairs will be rebuilt; the reredos cleaned; and several headstones reset. 5. GRANTEE: a. Name Massachusetts Mrs. Elizabeth R. Amadon, Exec. Dir., MA Historical Commission b. Address - Street or P.O. Box 40 Beacon Street City Boston State Massachusetts 62f88 6. GRANTEE TYPE (Check only the single most applicable box) a. Stote b. Inter- state c. County d. City e. School district f. Special unit g. Community action h. Sponsored organization i. Other 7. APPLICATION RECEIPT DATE 8. ACTION DATE Year Month Day Year Month 76 2 3 76 2 Day 23 9. EFFECTIVE STARTING DATE Year Month 76 2 Day 23 11. TYPE OF ACTION (Check as many boxes as apply to this action) a. New b. Continuation c. Supplemental d.

Change in existing grant grant grant grant (identify agency in item 16) (1) Increase in (2) Decrease in (3) Cancellation duration duration 10. ENDING DATE Year Month 79 2 Day 22 (4) Increase($) (5) Decrease($) L 12. AMOUNT OF CONTRIBUTION o. Federal - (I) basic (2) Supplemental $ 2,800 13. CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (if none, clarify in item 16) b. State 2,800* a. Program Number 15.904 c. Local d. Otner b. Supplemental Program Number 14. AUTHORIZATION a. Federal Budget Accounts b. Public Laws T10-58-1040-0-1-405 PL Title Sec. 89 665 c. U.S. Code 16 U.S.C. 470 15. FACILITY LOCATION: (For facility grant actions only) o. City 26 Pleasant Street, Marblehead 16. REMARKS PL Title Sec. PL Title Sec. P b. County Essex CD 6 *St.

Michael's Church Do N Uce This Space Prepared by Division of Grants 523(139)-5054 STANDARD FORM 24 June 1970 Bureau of the Budget Circular A-98 240-101