Nomination for Calvary Methodist Church

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

NPS Form 10-900 (3-82) OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form See instructions in How to Complete National Register Forms Type all entries - complete applicable sections 1. Name For NPS use only received MAY 2 3 1983 date entered historic Calvary Methodist Church and/or common 2. Location Calyary Methodist Church street & number 300 Massachusetts Avenue N/ Anot for publication city, town Arlington N/A vicinity of state MA 3.

Classification Category Ownership district - public * building(s) private structure both site Public Acquisition object N/A in process being considered code 025 county Middlesex code 017 Status X occupied _ unoccupied - work in progress Accessible X yes: restricted - yes: unrestricted _no Present Use agriculture commercial educational -entertainment government industrial military museum -park - private residence X religious scientific transportation -other: 4. Owner of Property name Board of Trustees, Calvary United Methodist Church, Inc. street & number 300 Massachusetts Avenue city, town Arlington N/A vicinity of 5. Location of Legal Description state Massachusetts Registry of courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Middlesex County Courthouse - South District Deeds street & number 208 Cambridge Street city, town East Cambridge state 6.

Representation in Existing Surveys title Inventory of the Historic Assetsthis property been determined eligible? of the Commonwealth #513 MA - yes Xno date 1981 federal x state _ county local depository for survey records Massachusetts Historical Commission city, town Boston state MA 7. Description calvary Methodist Church, Arlington, MA Condition _ excellent xgood Utair - deteriorated ruins unexposed Check one _unaltered _ altered - original sitfexcept steeple which was altered date 1888 and 1921) Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Description of the property

The Calvary Methodist Church (1923)is located at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Linwood Street adjacent to the civic core of Arlington, MA. Set back from the street, the church is surrounded by lawn and a low hedge at the It occupies a particularly prominent site on a broad curve of Massachusetts Avenue, thus being visible for several blocks. The plan and form of the Colonial Revival, wood-frame Calvary Methodist Church was inspired by the first stone church built in America, Kings Chapel (1749 , Peter Harrison; 1785, Charles Bulfinch modifications), at Tremont and School Streets, Boston. Among Bulfinch's contributions to this important piece of architecture were the execution in wood of Harrison's design for a colossal Ionic portico and plans for a belfry cupola, never built.

The Calvary Methodist Church departs from King's Chapel in material, detailing and fenestration, although basic similarities are evident; the belfry which terminates the tower is an original Bulfinch design (1809) for Boylston Market, Boston (demolished 1888 and donated to 1509) the church in 1921). The main body of the church is rectangular in plan with a hipped roof and minimal ornamentation; trim is confined to simple surrounds of four 2-story round-head windows on each side elevation. A range of small rectangular windows light the low basement level. The focal point of the church is its strongly projecting set on a stepped base, with a monumental tetrastyle Ionic portico and two stage tower and cupola. The side elevations of the frontispiece contain' two 6/6 windows, arranged vertically and of slightly different proportions.

Treatment of the central entry on the main facade is simple; large panelled double doors trimmed with rusticated blocks and surrounded by a 6/6 window set close to the portico soffit. Further articulation is generated by the continuation of the tower's guoins on the facade, outside the inner pair of columns, thus creating the illusion that the tower rises from basement level. The severity of the tower is relieved on the square first stage only by a clock on the main face; a single small roundhead winow on each secondary face, set low; and a balustrade above its plain cornice which forms a visual transition to the second stage. dentilled cornice.

is oe tho sui finch cupoaa se The flushboard second stage is also square in plan with a wide central projecting section on each face with narrow The Bulfinch cupola is octagonal in plan with round- head openings alternating with undecorated flushboard separated by engaged columns which support a plain frieze and modillioned cornice. A top the cornice, at each break in the cornice line, sit avoid finials in front of an octagonal stage with four recessed panels. The concave octagonal roof culminates atia point in a simple ball. Clapboards, painted white, originally sheathed the main body, porch and tower. Although vinyl siding was applied in 1976, it retains the same proportions and coloring, thus not severely compromising the buildings visual impact.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Significance Calvary Methodist Church, 300 Massachusetts Ave, Arlinaton, MA Period prehistoric 1400-1499 1500-1599 1600-1699 1700-1799 1800-1899 1900- Areas of SignificanceCheck and justify below _.archeology-prehistoric - community planning archeology-historic conservation agriculture X economics architecture education art engineering commerce exploration/settlement. communications industry invention _landscape architectureX religion law literature military music - philosophy -politics/government - science sculpture social/ humanitarian theater transportation other (specify) Specific dates ' 1923, 1953 Builder

Statement of significance

/Architect James H. MacNaughton and William J. Perry, Charles Bulfinch (cupola)Arlano Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) Durlan" ((parish house) The Calvary Methodist Church possesses integrity of location, design, materials, workmanship, feeling and association. Is is significant historically as a representation of continuing freedom of religion ex- pression in Arlington, and for its associations with the community's development in the early-mid 20th century. Architecturally, the fact that it very nearly replicates King's Chapel, one of the most important ecclesiastical structures of the Colonial period combined with the integration of a genuinely important 18th century artifact sets it apart from the majority of Colonial Revival church buildings constructed in the early 20th century. Thus, the Calvary Methodist Church meets criteria A,.

and C of the National Register of Historic Places. The Calvary Methodist Church can be considered the result of tertiary forces in the development of organized religion in the town of Arlington. Christian worship evolved from the prescribed "state" religion of the First Parish in the 17th and 18th centuries through splinter groups starting with the departure of the Baptists in 1790. The development of Unitarian and Universalist faiths was even more tumultuous, with a major schism that occurred in 1840. In 1875, the first Episcopalian Church was established; it is from this congregation and through this evolutionary arm that : the Methodist sect emerged at the close of world war I. Calvary Methodist Church came to fruition through the efforts of a small but devoted group of Methodists who met at the Grand Army Hall for the first time in 1916.

From this group of 64, the congregation grew to 107 in In 1918 join the Canadian Army, and the the first Pastor, Reverend Robert Bilsworth of Holliston was appointed minister. Due to the increased congregation size a church was deemed both necessary and attainable, and after considerable debate it was decided to construct a traditionally designed structure; architects James H. MacNaughton and William J. Perry were selected. Upon acceptance of their proposed design, closely modelled after King's Chapel, Boston (1749), ground was broken in 1919. Amidst construction however, the congregation was unable to pay for escalating costs, and the contractor exercised a lien on the property, announcing that the building would be sold for use as a moving picture theater.

Immediately townspeople of all faiths rallied to the cause rather that see the secularization of a temple of worship, and the church was completed as planned by 1923, when it opened for the first services. The pastorate had changed hands and the congregation was then under the leadership of the Reverend Archiever J. Strait.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References Arlington Advocate. News articles, August 21, 1896; Jan. 29, 1916; Aug. 6,192 January 1, 1926; July 23, 1926; October 6, 1938; October 21, 1938. Arlington Celebrates the Growing Years Arlington:1975. Arlington Historical Commission. Mill Brook Valley: A Historical and Architectural Survey. Arlington. MA 1976 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property -28 acres Jexinator Quadrangle name Quadrangle scale 1:5250jnute UT M References *I| L32B|26d [416|217/11910/ Easting Northing CLI E GLL L LliLu Easting Northing LWWW LiuLL FLU LILL LILILLL Verbal boundary description and justification The n~mination includes the Int presently and historirally assoicated with the Church, romrisino 24 996 square feet.. Please see attached assessor's map.

List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries state code county code N/A state code county code 11. Form Prepared By Virginia A. Fitch, Preservation Planner with Frederick W. Lyman, name/title American Landarks, Inc. and Jeffery A. Luxenbera, City Planning and Urban Desian Consultant organizationMassachusetts Historical Commission date February, 1983 street & number 294 Washington Street -telephone 617 727-8470 city or town Boston state Massachusetts 12.

State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: _ national state NVocal As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89 665), Ihereby nominate this property for inclusion inthe 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 Vatur hWeslowrke.

title State Historic Preservation Officer For NPS use only I hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register Nelous Entered in the fkdeper of the National kosuster National Register Attest: Chief of Registration date 4/28/83 date 6/23/83 date NPS Form 10-900-a (3-82) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form OMB No.1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 For NPS uea only recsived date enterea Continuation sheet Calvary Methodist Church Item number 7 & 3 Page 1 The simplicity of the church's exterior carries into the interior as evidenced in the pews, the wall detailing and in other minor ornamentation. A onigstory parish house, respectina the scale, broportions and materials of structure was added to the rear north-west corner in 1953, but is attached only by a connector.

Part 8 Continuation Sheet Since that time, the Calvary Methodist Church congregation has continued to expand propelling the church forward as an important locus intearal to com- minity and religious activities in Arlinaton. The architectural design of the Calvary Methodist Church exists as a strong statement on the validity of both historical continuity and preservation. While not an exact replica in wood of the Quincy aranite , on eace popiice in aood ot o suna dynamic King's Chapel, the architects clearly gave much consideration to the con- cepts underlying Harrison's design; variations may be due in part to the architects' personal approach, the needs of a modern congredation and the difference in materials.

at a time when innumerable erablé bsuedo coloniba1 Nonetheless, the church stands as a handsome structure, faithful in the most part to its historical precedent osuedo "Colonial" buildings were beina erected. During his research of King's Chapel, MacNauahton apparently secured in- formation which suggested that both Harrison desiqned finishina stages for the tower of King's Chapel. Neither had ehe toter oe kingaa and Bulfinch had olanned or been built. Hearing, however, of a Bulfinch cupola which had been moved to a Charlestown brewery in 1886 unon the razina of the Boylston Market (1809, Charles Bulfinch) in Boston's South End, MacNauchton approached the owner. The cupola had been bought by subscription to house a clock donated by Ward Nicholas Boylson, Boston benefactor and Governor, shortly after the Market was constructed.

The brewery, put out of business by prohibition, was itself slated for destruction. The owner, A.G. Van Nostrand, agreed to donate the cupola upon the condition that a bronze plaque be installed in the narthex of the church specifying its Boylston Market oriain. The parish house addition erected in 1953 is the work of a well-known local ecclesiastical architect, Arland Duran. NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES United States Dopas ol the lnteriar National Park Service EYALUATION / RETURN SHE - Calvary Methodist Church Middlesex County MASSACHUSETTS rosubmission nomination by person or local government ounar abjection appeal Substantive Roview: Roviower's comments: Working No. MAY 23 1983 Fed. Reg. Date: 2-1-84 Dato Due: 4/23/83 7//83 Action: ACCEPT 6/23/83 Entered in the - RETURN Mational Begister REJECT.

Federal Agensy:_ -sample - request _ appeal - NR decision -Nomination returned for: Recom. /Criteria - Reviewer_ Discipline. Date _soo continuation sheet -technical corrections cited below _substantive reasons discussad balow 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification Procons Uon sateteter 4. Owner of Property 5. Location of Legal Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys ue ooe property toan eetarmainad oligtcta? 7. Description andte eertorate _ unertered - onogeal o - ate tho procow rtgiaad (ll kassanal ptonodard eppne summary paragraph completeness clarity alterations/integrity dates boundary selection 8.

Significance Portod Spocitte datos Aroes ef Stgnithcano Chook and peutily bedor bulderArethos Beotamani ol sionithaenoo (la ans paragraal summary paragraph completeness clarity applicable criteria justification of areas checked relating significance to the resource - context relationship of integrity to significance justification of exception other 9. Major Bibliographical References 10. Geographical Data Aoreago of nominatad property Quadrangto namo. UMIT Reterences Vorkel bauakery doscrbatton and heattheatlon 11. Form Prepared By 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification Tho praluatad aigeiticance of thie property vithin the etate ls: - netionel Mato - local Dluto Maatorte Preservation Ofticer eipneture - 13.

Other Maps Photographs Other Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Signed Date - Phone: 202 272-3504 Comments for any Item may be continued on an attached sheet Calvary Methodist Church Arlington, MA PHOTOGRAPH IDENTIFICATION Community: Arlington, MA Photographer: Jeffery A. Luxenberg Date of Photo: 10/16/80 Location of Negative:Arling- ton Historical Commission View: North- East (Front) Facade PHOTO #1 of 4. IX IX. - Calvary Methodist Church Arlington, MA PHOTOGRAPH IDENTIFICATION Community: Arlington, MA Photgrapher: Jeffery A. Luxenberg Date of Photo: 10/16/80 Location of Negative: Arling- ton Historical Commission VieNorteteast°Elevationh Tover PHOTO #2 of 4. Calvary Methodist Church Arlington, MA PHOTOGRAPH IDENTIFICATION Community: Arlington, MA Photographer: Jeffery A.

Luxenberg Date of Photo: 10/16/80 Location of Negative:Arling- ton Historical Commission View: North-Nest Elevation PHOTO # 3 of 4. =LL - Calvary Methodist Church Arlington, MA PHOTOGRAPH IDENTIFICATION Community: Arlington, MA Photographer: Jeffery A. Luxenberg Date of Photo: 10/16/80 Location of Negative: Arling- ton Historical Commission View: Interior (lo0king South-West) PHOTO #40f4.