Nomination for Calvinistic Congregational Church

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Form No. 10-300 REV. (9/77) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PH0675318 FOR NPS USE QPR'1 2 1979 NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM RECEIVED JUN 15 1979 DATE ENTERED SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOW TO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES - COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS 1 NAME HISTORIC CALVINISTIC Calvanistic Congregational Church (preferred) AND/OR COMMON Faith United Parish LOCATION STREET & NUMBER 820 Main Street CIY. TFitchburg STATE Massachusetts 3 CLASSIFICATION .

VICINITY OF CODE 025 NOT FOR PUBLICATION OOUESONALDISTRICT COUNTY Worcester S29E CATEGORY DISTRICT * BUILDING(S) _STRUCTURE SITE OBJECT OWNERSHIP _PUBLIC x PRIVATE -BOTH PUBLIC ACQUISITION _IN PROCESS _BEING CONSIDERED STATUS X OCCUPIED -UNOCCUPIED _WORK IN PROGRESS ACCESSIBLE X.YES: RESTRICTED -YES: UNRESTRICTED -NO PRESENT USE -AGRICULTURE _MUSEUM COMMERCIAL _PARK _EDUCATIONAL _PRIVATE RESIDENCE _ENTERTAINMENT XRELIGIOUS GOVERNMENT -SCIENTIFIC _INDUSTRIAL _TRANSPORTATION - MILITARY _OTHER: 4OWNER OF PROPERTY NAME Faith United Parish STREET & NUMBER 820 Main Street CITY. TOWN Fitchburg VICINITY OF 5 LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION STATE Massachusetts OURTHOUS REGISTRY OF DEEDS,ET( STREET & NUMBER Worcester County Registry of Deeds, North District 84 Elm Street CITY.

TOWN Fitchburg 6 REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS STATE Massachusetts TITLE Inventory of the Historic Assets of the Commonwealth #215 DATE 1977 DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS CITY. TOWN _FEDERAL *STATE _COUNTY _LOCAL Massachusetts Historical Commission Boston STATE Massachusetts DESCRIPTION CONDITION _EXCELLENT _GOOD -FAIR DETERIORATED _RUINS CHECK ONE *UNALTERED ALTERED CHECK ONE *_ORIGINAL SITE _MOVED DATE _UNEXPOSED DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Description of the property

The Calvinistic Congregational Church occupies a prominent lot in downtown Fitchburg at the corner of Main and Rollstone Streets. Designed in 1897 in the Romanesque Revival style, it consists of a rectangular nave oriented with its gable end toward Main street and a chapel placed at cross-axis to the rear elevation. The building is constructed of rough-faced reddish standstone blocks with light tan sandstone trim. It stands on a high basement of larger sandstone blocks, separated from the main floors by a water table. The roof is covered with purple slate with decorative green bands and copper cresting. The facade, which faces north east on Main Street, is centered around a triple arched entrance portico. It consists of three projecting pointed arch canopies with carved finials and crockets, containing round arch openings with sandstone voisseurs and molded archivolts.

Both the canopies and arches are supported by paired shortened columns and the whole ensemble is approached by a flight of broad, granite steps. The entrance is surmounted by a huge rose window contained within a round arch opening springing from a carved stringcourse which demarcates the roof line. A trabeated opening divided by a central colum lights the gable which is embelished with crockets and a A large square tower rises approximately 158 feet from the northern end of This is, pierced at the ground floor level by a pair of narrow windows and at the tower level by one elongated window. The belfry rises above a carved sandstone band and is framed by clasping buttresses at each corner which terminate in copper clad pinnacles. Clock faces are found on all four sides. Above this the tower is opened by triple arches which echo the entrance motif. The spire is clad with copper.

A much smaller tower, similar in detailing, rises from the southern end of the facade. The northwest elevation, which faces Rollstone Street consists of a central cross- axial gable containing a large stylized Paladian window. This is framed on the north by the tower just described and on the south by a somewhat smaller tower which is similar in design. The cross-gable chapel stands to the south of the second tower and is connected to it by a one bay section with a projecting gabled portico. The two and one half story chapel is constructed of red brick with granite trim. Three windows with shaped, carved lintels connected by a continuous stringcourse light the first story, while a paired trefoil window lights the gable. The tripled windows are continued around the western half of the rear elevation until halted by an addition with a large shed-roof dormer.

The southwest chapel elvation contains a simple entrance flanked by wide windows on the ground floor with three narrower windows centered above them on the second floor and a single window in the gable. The southwest nave elevation which abuts a neighboring building is treated in a manner similar to that of the northeast elevation with the exception of the towers.

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- AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE -- CHECK AND JUSTIFY BELOW _ARCHEOLOGY-PREHISTORIC_COMMUNITY PLANNING _LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE ARCHEOLOGY-HISTORIC _CONSERVATION -LAW AGRICULTURE LECONOMICS - LITERATURE X ARCHITECTURE _EDUCATION -MILITARY -ART -ENGINEERING -MUSIC _COMMERCE _EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT _PHILOSOPHY _COMMUNICATIONS _INDUSTRY _POLITICS/GOVERNMENT _INVENTION XRELIGION _SCIENCE -SCULPTURE _SOCIAL/HUMANITARIAN _THEATER _TRANSPORTATION _OTHER (SPECIFY) SPECIFIC DATES 1896 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE BUILDER

Statement of significance

/ARCHITECT Henry M. Francis The Calvinistic CongregationalChurchin Fitchburg retains integrity of location, design, materials and workmanship. It is a prominent local landmark, and one of the finest examples of Romanesque Revival design in Fitchburg. Its growth parallels that of Fitchburg as a whole and its parishoners have included some of the city's most prominent citizens. The history of the Church began with a general gathering of the people of Fitchburg in 1768, four years after the town had been incorporated. During the early nineteenth century a schism developed in the church between those who held Calvinistic views and those who held Unitarian views. On June 14, 1805 the General Court granted an Act of Incorporation to the religious body to be called the Calvinistic Congregational Society in Fitchburg.

The Church formally split in 1823 when the First Parish Unitarian-Universalist Church was established. The Calvinists built their first church on the site of the present structure in 1806. This building, about which little is known, was sold in 1844 and moved to another site where it was used for commercial purposes. The second church was built in 1845 in the currently popular Greek Revival style. It was constructed of red brick with a granite basement and first floor. It is believed that the granite was quarried at the Rollstone Quarry across the River. The first floor was rented for commercial purposes and was known as Granite Row.

There was some controversy as to whether a dome, characteristic of Greek Revival design, should replace a traditional steeple, but on March 11, 1844 the congregation voted that it "was not in favor of altering from their plan for a dome on the new house." The Greek Revival structure was demolished in 1896 to make way for the present Romanesque Revival structure dedicated on February 10, 1897. Rodney Wallace, one of the chief donors to the building committee, described the structure, the expense of construction and its meaning to the congregation, in a report of the finance committee.

"You have this beautiful edifice and a debt of $16,000, but I fully believe if more than $50,000 can be raised during the most depressed condition of business any of us ever saw, that, with the return of more prosperous times and with the same harmony among ourselves, the sum can easily be raised to leave the society free from any debt. This magnificent building represents not merely the money expended, but more than that. I nose tian thac: sit seant It stands for the honest work of every mechanic employed, the best skill of the architect,the best thought of the building committee, and the best wishes of all interested in the work."

The rest of the file

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

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Fitchburg of Today, 1894, p. 21. Mason, A._Fitchburg in 1885. p. 347. Hitchcock. History of the Calvanistic Congcegational Church. Fitchburg Sentinel, March 23, 1912. p. 68. 10 GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF NOMINATED PROPERTY _ QUADRANGLE NAME Fitchburg UTM REFERENCES A 2 9 / 1216 918 00 ZONE EASTING CLL ELL GLJ LI VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION -29 acres 14,717,813,3,01 NORTHING QUADRANGLE SCALE 1:24000 LLalul L1,Lu ZONE NORTHING LLILULILILLL LULLULLIL WULLLLLIL Please refer to the attached assesor's map on which the boundaries are deliniated.

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 Candace Jenkins, National Register Coordinator ORGANIZATION Massachusetts Historical Commission STREET & NUMBER 294 Washington Street CITY OR TOWN Boston Bill Chittick, Frank Garretson, Ellen DiGeronimo: Fitchburg Historical Commission DATE March 1979 TELEPHONE (617) 727-8470 STATE Massachusetts!

12 STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER CERTIFICATION THE EVALUATED SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROPERTY WITHIN THE STATE IS: STATE_ LOCAL NATIONAL_ 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 latum twednsk. 4/4/79 DATE TITLE Executive Director, Mass. Historical Commission FOR NPS USE ONLY I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS PROPERTY IS INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER thaduAtkennta KEEPER OF THE NATIONAL REGISTER ATTEST: CHIEF OF KEGISTRATION DATE DATE 4-15-29 6/15/75 GPO 921-803 Form No. 10-300a (Kev.

10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM FOR NPS USE ONLY RECEIVED DATE ENTERED APR 12 1979 JUN 1 5 1979 CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 8 PAGE 2 The architect was H.M. Franics who opened an office in Fitchburg in June 1865, following an apprenticeship in Portland, Maine. Working extensively in southern New Hampshire, Vermont and throughout Central Massachusetts, Francis was responsible for a large number of buildings in Fitchburg itselt. Ihree of his buildings, the t.m.c.A. ) steui sand! Armory, the Historical Society and the Worcester County National Bank (formerly the Y.M.C.A.) still stand in the vicinity of the Church. The Church 1s generally considered to be one of the more important examples of Francis' work.

While the congregation was erecting successively more elaborate churches, the city of Fitchburg was prospering due to the expansion of industrial activities. The Church membership recalls the names of many prominent successful men of that era; Amasa Norcross, the first Mayor of Fitchburg, and Alvah Crocker, founder of Crocker Burbank Company, who as a young man with a tamily, augmented his income by serving as master of singing at the Calvinistic Congregational Church for which he received thirteen dollars per year; he helped establish the Rollstone Bank to aid businessmen. He was responsible for bringing the railroad to Massachusetts and particuarly through the Hoosac Mountain. He was elected to Congress on January 2, 1872.

Rodney Wallace founded the Fitchburg Paper Company, he built the first Public Library; Abel Simonds, scythe- maker; David Boutelle, proprietor of Boutelle House; Goldsmith F. Bailey, lawyer and an anti-slavery advocate, was elected to Congress in 1860 the same year Abraham Lincoln was elected President.

m Celpietie Congagstindl chul TECHNICAL Photos _ Maps CONTROL 0K 4.12.79 HISTORIAN ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN ARCHEOLOGIST OTHER HAER The CHLAZCN IS ONE Of TH FEW EXAMPIEES Of ROMANESOMK REUIVAL DESIGN IN FITCHBHRG, IT IS A PROMNENT VEA LANDMARK AND HS FORMER PARISHOWERS INCLUDE SMVEOR THE MOS NOTZBVE INDINIDWALS IW MEZ CONNILNITY Inventory Review REVIEW UNIT CHIEF Accrti 6/15/29 BRANCH CHIEF KEEPER National Register Write-up Federal Register Entry 7-3-75 Send-back Re-submit Entered JUN | 5 1979 United States Department of the Interior - Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service WoRcestER Covaty Calvanistic Congregational Church Fitchburg, MA Frank Garretson 1977 Planning Office, City Halll Fitchburg, MA Photo #1 Facade from the east JUN | 5 1979 CHURCE; APR 12 1979 MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Office of the Secretary of State 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 617-727-8470 MICHAEL JOSEPH CONNOLLY Secretary of State April 6, 1979 Mr.

Charles Herrington, Chief Registration Branch National Register of Historic Places Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service Department of the Interior Washington, D.C. 20243 RECEIVED APR 12 1979 NATIONAL REGISTER Dear Mr. Herrington: Enclosed you will find the nomination forms for the following properties. Cambridge: Hooper Lee Nichols House Fairhaven: Ezekiel Sawin House Fitchburg: Calvinistic Congregation Church All of the properties have been voted eligible by the State Review Board and have been signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer. The owners of these properties wish to apply for FY1980 Acquisition and Development grants so we would appreciate an expeditious review.

Sincerely, Chritri Boushig Christine Boulding Survey Director Massachusetts Historical Commission CB/ts enclosures ENTRIES IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER STATE MISSHCUUSTITS Date Entoted 1N1500- Name Hooper-Lee-Nichols House (Calventstie Congregitional Chrucct Savin, Zzekiel, House I.=tion Ce briase ilddleses Comiy Fiichburg Worcester County Fairhaven Bristol Crniy Also lotifind Hororeble Panl G. Tsongas Tecorable Zaned M. Kordy 1ca Se nis 2.070111 T... .hleraeB. eoCes?.5 State !torte ? T.ccieta To 17 lonckt 19 (iR Byers/bjr Pus Sotber iE 6/10/:9 P1e "l Rogieerst (02)?43 .07 ROBERT F. DRINAN 4TH DISTRICT, MASSACHUSETTS WASHINGTON OFFICE: 2452 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON, D.C. 20515 PHONE: (202) 225-5931 DISTRICT OFFICES: 400 TOTTEN POND ROAD, BUILDING 1 WALTHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 02154 PHONE: (617) 890-9455 PHILIP J.

PHILBIN FEDERAL BUILDING 881 MAIN STREET FITCHBURG, MASSACHUSETTS 01420 PHONE: (617) 342-8722 400 UNION AVENUE FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS PHONE: (617) 879-4566 01701 CIVIL AND COCSTHTTIONAL RIGHTS Congress of the United States House of Representatives @ashington, IB.C. 20515 GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS SUBCOMMITTEES: COMMERCE, CONSUMER AND MONETARY AFFAIRS ENVIRONMENT ENURCY AND NATURAL SELECT COMMITTEE ON AGING SUBCOMMITTEES HEALTH AND LONG-TERM CARE HOUSING AND CONSUMER INTERESTS June 25, 1979 William J. Murtagh, Keeper of the National Register Heritage Conservation & Recreation Service Washington, DC 20243 Dear Mr. Murtagh: I am delighted to learn that the Calvanistic Con- gregational Church, of fltchburg, Massachusetts, nas been nominated for listing in the National Register of His- toric Places.

This beautiful structure dominates the historic Upper Common of Fitchburg and is the present home of the Faith United Church. It would be the focus around which much other historic preservation work could take place. This building was constructed by the founding fathers of the City of Fitchburg, men whose names are associated with the City's leading industries and local landmarks. As such, it represents a tangible legacy of the first generations of our nation's Industrial Age, and it would be a most worthy addition to the National Register. Accordingly, I am sure that you will give this nomination the most serious consideration. With every best wish, I am ordially yours, Auburdiah Robert F. Drinan, Member oi Congress RFD/beh DOR Mail Cantol NoPOR 2369 DATE: FROM: DESIGNATION: -V.MUI RFRD: DATE: CBRP 7/9 SUBJECT: R; Church on th BOR 8 - 12a DEC.

1971 POR- 7369 5172 NUMBER: REMARKS: Reply 202 Str Stg. RFRD: DATE: :. alvanistic Cong RFRD: DATE: RFRD: DATE: ACK'D: 3.31 DATE REFLY DUE: BUREAU OF OUTDOOR RECREATION SIGNED: CTD 7.16.29 661 wacoste Leffeld 1-11 MeDie. lebovich Honorable Robert F. Drinan House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Mx. Dxínan: Thank you for your inquiry of June 25, 1979, concerning the nomination of the Calviniatic Congregational Churcl, Worcester, Massachusetts, to the National Register of Historie Places. We are pleased to inform you that the Calvinistic Congregational Church was entered in the National Register on June 15, 1979. Enclosed is a leaflet which describes the National Register progran. If ve can be of further assistance to you, please let us know. We appreciate your interest in historic preservation. Sincerely, CHRIS T. DELAPORIE Chris Therral Delaporte Director Enclosure cc: Ms.

Patricia L. Weslowski Executive Director Massachusetts Historical Conmission 294 Washington Street Boston, Massachusetts 02108 bcc: Director's Reading File Chief, OAHP / FHR-Lumpkin / FHR-CL / CL / POR - 7369 FHR:S Sheffield:1w:343-6401:7-10-79 BASIC FILE RETAINED IN NR