Nomination for First Church Congregational

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form No. 10-300 (Rev. 10-74) PH0507873 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 20 FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED NOV 2 2 1977 NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM DATE ENTERED DEC 1 7860646 SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS 178 1 NAME HISTORIC First Church Congregational AND/OR COMMON First Church Congregational 2 LOCATION STREET & NUMBER Pleasant and Stevens Streets NOT FOR PUBLICATION CITY.

TOWN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Methuen 5th Massachusetts - VICINITY OF STATE CODE COUNTY Massachusetts 025 Essex 3 CLASSIFICATION : CATEGORY DISTRICT & BUILDING(S) -STRUCTURE _SITE _OBJECT OWNERSHIP _PUBLIC XPRIVATE _BOTH PUBLIC ACQUISITION -IN PROCESS _BEING CONSIDERED STATUS XOCCUPIED -UNOCCUPIED -WORK IN PROGRESS ACCESSIBLE XYES: RESTRICTED - YES: UNRESTRICTED -NO 4 OWNER OF PROPERTY NAME Board of Directors, First Church Congregational STREET & NUMBER Pleasant and Stevens Streets CITY. TOWN Methuen, _ VICINITY OF 5 LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE. REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC. Essex County Registry of Deeds STREET & NUMBER 32 Federal Street CITY.

TOWN CODE 009 PRESENT USE AGRICULTURE -MUSEUM -COMMERCIAL _PARK _EDUCATIONAL - PRIVATE RESIDENCE ENTERTAINMENT X RELIGIOUS -GOVERNMENT -SCIENTIFIC _INDUSTRIAL -TRANSPORTATION -MILITARY _OTHER: STATE Massachusetts 01844 STATE Salem 6 REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE Inventory of Historic Assets of the Commonwealth Massachusetts DATE 1974 DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS CITY, TOWN _FEDERAL X STATE COUNTY _LOCAL Massachusetts Historical Commission Boston STATE Massachusetts 7 DESCRIPTION CONDITION X EXCELLENT _GOOD -FAIR -DETERIORATED -RUINS CHECK ONE _UNALTERED XALTERED CHECK ONE *ORIGINAL SITE MOVED DATE _UNEXPOSED DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

First Congregational Church is located on the corner of Pleasant and Stevens Streets in a predominantly residential neighborhood just east of the Methuen Town Center. 1-3/4 acre lot is planted with low shrubbery, tall pines and maples. To the rear of the church is a parking lot. The The plan of the church is a simple 5 bay deep, ridge roofed auditorium with apse to the rear and attached 3 story tower on the facade. The church is constructed of rough cut Pelham granite block laid in random ashlar. Fenestration is modest, narrow lancet windows. The shallow eaves and slight parapet gables are supported by simple corbels. The facade is dominated by the tower which, on the ground floor, contains the principal The paired, herringbone wooden doors are set within a deeply recessed ribbed Gothic arch. The second level of the tower has paired round headed trefoil windows within a slight recession.

quatrefoil windows. The third level houses the bells and is stepped in to create turrets on the four corners. All four sides of this level are occupied by open trefoil arches with simple tracery. The top of the tower is crenellated to create a battlement. On either side of the tower, framing it, are three sided, one story pro- jections with crenellated rooflines and Gothic arched windows on the broad side. The rear elevation is dominated by the projecting apse. The square, ridge roofed apse is constructed of Indiana limestone. The corners are accented by diagonal buttresses which are capped by finials. The roofline is crenellated to create battlements. The rear elevation is dominated by the LaFarge stained glass window, "The Resurrection." The Gothic arched window opening is framed by a gable which interrupts the roofline battlement.

On the west elevation of the apse is a one story flat roofed section with door and 1/1 sash window. The Phillips Chapel is attached to the east elevation by a passageway. The chapel is constructed of the same Pelham granite and features flat arched fenestration and a ridge roof with identical gables and corbels. The facade is three bays wide. The center entry is set within a projecting crenellated stone porch with Gothic arch. In the gable is a carved trefoil. The peak of the gable is topped by an open, Gothic arched bell housing. Iwo brick chimneys rise from the roof. The rear elevation has two doors in the western end and iron stairs leading to an arched opening in the gable. To the east of the chapel, attached by a porch and passageway, is the one story Parish House.

This flat roofed rectangular structure is constructed in buff brick and features deep eaves and long narrow fixed sash fenestration. The entrance is sheltered by the porch adjacent to the Phillips Chapel; the remainder of the facade is five bays wide. The principal interior space is the apse designed by Heins and LaFarge. Separated from the main body of the church by a deeply splayed Gothic arch, it is finished with marble reredos and furnished with a carved oak pulpit and lecturn, great oak chairs and com- sate cax plipte and tocera, munion table and a limestone font. The main body of the church was built in 1855; Phillips Chapel was added in 1881. The apse was dedicated in 1895 and the Parish House was constructed in 1964. The granite was memorial in front of the Parish House was dedicated in 1957.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

SIGNIFICANCE PERIOD _PREHISTORIC 1400-1499 -1500-1599 -1600-1699 _1700-1799 X1800-1899 - 1900- _ARCHEULUGY-PREHISTORIC ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC AGRICULTURE XARCHITECTURE XART _COMMERCE _COMMUNICATIONS AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE -- CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW COMMUNITY PLANNING _CONSERVATION _LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE -LAW _ECONOMICS _LITERATURE _EDUCATION _ENGINEERING _MILITARY _EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT MUSIC _PHILOSOPHY LINDURY _POLITICS/GOVERNMENT LINVENTION X RELIGION _SCIENCE X SCULPTURE _SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN _THEATER -TRANSPORTATION _OTHER (SPECIFY) SPECIFIC DATES 1855, 1895 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE BUILDER

Statement of significance

/ARCHITECT Original Architect Unkown Apse, Heins and lararge First Congregational Church is significant for its architecture and for its associa- tions with the growth and development of the Town of Methuen. This structure is the third meetinghouse built for this congregation. The first meetinghouse was erected by the town in 1728 on another site; the congregation was organized in 1729. The second meetinghouse was built in 1796 and later moved to this site. This 1855 structure incorporates materials from the second meetinghouse. In New England towns, the first meetinghouse served as the community center and location of town meeting until the disestablishment of Congregationalism in the 19th century. First Congregational Church is an early example of a high style "Roman" edifice for a non-conformist congregation.

This orientation was furthered with the construction of the Heins and LaFarge designed apse in 1895. The interior of the apse is con- structed of Minnesota buff-toned dolomite and the marble reredos is derived from Venetian tetrecento memorials. The marbles used are from Massa-Carrara, Verona, Sienna, Belgium, Portugal, North Africa and Pennsylvania. The apse also houses figures of Patience and Purity by Louis St.Gaudens. The LaFarge window, "The Resurrec- tion", is composed of 10,000 pieces of glass and is estimated to have cost $50,000. uararge considered the window to be his masterpiece. His description of the composition was, "It represents the Resurrection. The figure of angels open the gates of death the clouds roll away while the triumphant figure of the risen Lord leaves the tomb, and passes into light." 9

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Haywood; Frederick D., History of the First Church, Methuen: 1929. 10 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY 13/4 acres UTM REFERENCES AL91 1312,710,3,9 14.713,218,6,01 ZONE EASTING NORTHING CLULLILU LALu VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION BLUJLL ZONE EASTING -U LLIL NORTHING Y Lilu LIST ALL STATES AND COUNTIES FOR PROPERTIES OVERLAPPING STATE OR COUNTY BOUNDARIES STATE CODE COUNTY CODE STATE CODE COUNTY CODE 11 FORM PREPARED BY NAME / TITLE Joseph R. Orfant, National Register Editor & Joseph G. Bella, Methuen Hist. Comm.

ORGANIZATION Massachusetts Historical Commission STREET & NUMBER 294 Washington Street CITY OR TOWN Boston October 25, 1977 TELEPHONE 617-727-8470 STATE Massachusetts 12 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE IS: NATIONAL - STATE _ LOCAL As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National 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.

STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER SIGNATURE Eliabuch Reed Amadon TILE Executive Director, Massachusetts #)storical CornissionDATE |1/4/2Z FOR NPS USE ONLY I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY IS INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER aladtken ATTEST: coco fOMSTONIC PHESEAVATON EEPER AFTUANATIO DATE 12.1.78 OLLERS FMGISTEN DATE 12/1/28 GPO 892-453 7IRST CONGREGAtIONAL CHURCH METHUEN, MASSACHUSETTS HIGH ST. STEVENS ST. PHILLIPS CHAPEL PARISH HALL TREMONT ST. PLEASANT ST. ST. NORTH CHARLES SCALE I"= 100' TEI/ REGISTER DEC 1 1978 Property finst Church Congregational Mass: Working Number 11.22.27.1977 TECHNICAL Photos Maps 2 We do vat Ie is and wt fuytiald so ae Phillips Chapel an the Paisa stll- histavcally- daes it stand an avclitectie? Do we knam what s berg rominted.

Brity covera hapel tooks whe wuuch-orly smaller CONTROL pl OK 11.28.22 HISTORIAN Shep coll rerer arale 2-13-18 ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN accept Bravkam 1.11.78 ARCHEOLOGISI OTHER HAER Inventory- Review ADDITONISL PHOTOS RECD. 1855 CHAMRCA DESIGNED IN RAHKRFORMAL MANWER KOR A NON CONFORMIST CONGRALATION. 1895 ARSE BY HEINS ANDLAFARISK. LATER CHSPEL AND PARISHHALL JUSTIRIED BRCAWK TUEA ARE CONNFLTEA AND SIMKATHETICALLY DESIGNED. REVIEW UNIT CHIEF ACCERT 1/30/28 BRANCH CHIEF KEEPER National Register Write-up Federal Register Entry 2-6-79 Send-back Re-submit Entered United States Department of the Interior National Park Service WASO No. 7 DEC 1- 1978 INT:2106-74 First Church Congregational Methuen, 1975 Joseph G. Bella 299 Broadway Methuen, MA. 01844 DEC 1 Photo #1 Looking south towards the facade NOV 2 2 1977 1978 First Church Cogregational Methuen, MA. 1975 Joseph G.

Bella 299 Broadway Methuen, MA. O1844 1 1978 Photo #2 Looking east towards the west elevation NOV 2 2 1977 Methuen First Church Congregational Joseph G. Bella, 1975 299 Broadway Methuen Photo #3 Parish Hall, south elevation DEC 1 19/8 Methuen First Church Congregational Joseph G. Bella, 1975 299 Broadway Methuen Photo #4 Phillips Chapel, south elevation DEC 1 1978 PAUL GUZZI Socritary of the Commonwealth The Commonvealth of Massachusetts Effice of the Secrelany Massachusells Historical Commission 291 Mashinglon Aree Boston, Massachusells 02/08 (617)727-8470 November 16, 1977 NOV 2 2 1977 Mr. Charles Herrington, Chief Registration Branch National Register OAHP, National Park Service Washington, D.C. 20240 Dear Charles: Enclosed please find nomination forms for the following properties: 1. Brockton: Bixby Block 2. Arlington: Ephraim Cutter House 3. Newburyport: Dalton House 4.

Methuen: First Congregational Church All of the above have been reviewed by the State Review Board and signed by the SHPO. Sincerely, Pat Patricia L. Weslowski Survey Director Massachusetts Historical Commission PLW/ed enc. WASO-166 (August 1971) U. S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TELEPHONE REPORT 1. CALL TO: FROM (Name) -Joe Onjant 3. SUBJECT, PROJECT NO., ETC. 15t chusch congregational . LoATE 2. 13.78 TIME OF CALL ADDRESS (Tel. No. if needed) MAss Itis Comm DETAILS OF DISCUSSION pequested photos os vercx Tihotos on chapee + Parsh ltall. - Parsh hall1.

Church y chopel are nomialed - NAME OF PERSON PLACING/RECEIVING CALL TITLE OFFICE GPO 897-848 PAUL GUZZI Secrelary of the Commonuealth The Commonwealth of Massachuselts Office of the Secretary Massachuselts Historical Commission 291 Mashinglon Sred Boston, Massachusells 02108 (617)727-8470 November 15, 1978 Charles Herrington Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation National Park Service United States Department of the Interior Washington, D.C. Attn: Brad Frandsen Dear Mr. Herrington: Enclosed you will find the additional photos requested for the First Church Congregational in Methuen, Massachusetts. in their submission and hope that they will complete the nomination.

Sincerely yours, Candace fenkins Candace Jenk National Register Coordinator Massachusetts Historical Commission CB/ts enclosures THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES mE NOV 28 1978 H.E GLLN DATE .6 INTIAS ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE MASSACHUSETTS Date Entered DEC 1 1978 Name First Church Congregational Location Methuen Essex County Also Notified Honorable Edward W. Brooke Honorable Edward M. Kennedy Honorable Paul Isongas State Historic Preservation Officer Mrs. Patricia L. Weslowski Executive Director Massachusetts Historical Commission 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 (NR Byers/bjr 12/18/78 PH0507873 NATIONAL REGISTER DATA SHEET ONAME as it appears on federal register: 2 OTHER NAMES: First Church Congregational 3 LOCATION street & number city / town vicinity of Pleasant and Stevens Sts.

Methuen state MA BEC 1 date of entry: 1978 6)NPS REGION: NA county code: 09 DOWNER XPRIVATE COSTATE -MUNICIPAL -COUNTY DMULTIPLE ©FEDERAL (agency name) (9) EXISTING SURVEYS CHABS BHAER UNHI (10) FUNDED? OYES ONO CONGRESS. DISTRICT 5th (12)SOURCE OF NOMINATION if state who prepared form? CWITHIN NA1 IONAL REGISTER HISTORIG DISTRIET? MATIBNAL HISTORIC LANDMARK?

ACREAGE DYES 1B CONDITION Dexeellent Ogood Dfair - deteriorated Oruins Qunexposed Ounexcavated - No Access NAME Daltered Doriginal site Ounaltered Omoved Oreconstructed Cunknown Oexcavated BACCESSOYES-Restricted DIYES -Unrestricted {I AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE : CARCHEOLOGY - prehistoric -2 CCOMMERCE -6 CARCHEOLOGY-historic-1 - COMMUNICATIONS-7 CAGRICULTURE -3 - CONSERVATION - 8 -ARCHITECTURE-4 - ECONOMICS - 9 DART-5 EDUCATION-10 CENGINEERING -11 -ENTERTAINMENT -26 CEXPLORATION-12 CHEALTH-27 C INDUSTRY-13 C INVENTION -14 OUnknown - LANDSCAPE ARCH.- 15 - LAW - 16 - LITERATURE- 17 - MILITARY- 18 - MUSIC - 19 - PHILOSOPHY -20 17) Leatures: - OSUBSTANTIALLY INTACT-1 2 ONOT INTACT-O BCUNKNOWN-S 2ONOT APPLICABLE -7 (19) ADAPTIVE USE DYES OND] SAVED?

OYES - POLITICS/ GOVT:: 21 CRECREATION-28 CRELIGION-22 CSETTLEMENT-29 - SCIENCE - 23 CURBAN PLANNING -31 C SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN-24CJ OTHER (SPECIFY) - SOCIAL / CULTURAL - 30 C TRANSPORTATION - 25 county Essex 8ADMINISTRATOR X STATE FEDERAL OLOCAL -PRIVATE ORGAYIZATION @OSUBSTANTIALLY INTACT -2 2OSUBSTANTIALLY INTACT - 3 EO NOT INTACT -O QONOT INTACT - O WCUNKNOWN-5 >OUNKNOWN -6 JCNOT APPLICABLE -8 O NOT APPLICABLE - 9 15 PROPERTY A HISTORIC DISTRICT?

DyesOnd @CLAIMS: explain 'first'O 'oldest' D 'only' 0 2 functions WHEN HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT: CURRENTLY: &architectural style(s) dy dates of initiai construction: major alterations : historic events: ETHNIC GROUP ASSOCIATION Sarchitect: master builder: a engineer: landscape architect / garden designer: S interior decorator: @artist: Sartisan: @builder/contractor: NAMES give role & date PERSONAL: EVENTS: INSTITUTIONAL: -NATIONAL REGISTER WRITE-UP lreviewers initials_ _date MN IF ADDITIONAL SPACE NEEDED, NUMBER & PUT ON REVERSE BE