Nomination for Church of Christ

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 OCT 9 1984 date entered NOV 13 1984 Church of Christ historic and/or common 2. Location Revere Masonic Temple street & number 265 Beach Street. N/ A not for publication Revere city, town N/A vicinity of state Massachusetts 3.

Classification code 025 county Suffolk code 025 Category _ district _building(s) structure site object Ownership - public X private both Public Acquisition in process N/Abeing considered Status * occupied unoccupied work in progress Accessible - yes: restricted yes: unrestricted no Present Use agriculture commercial educational entertainment government industrial military X museum park private residence religious scientific transportation other: vacant 4. Owner of Property name Mr. John Clark c/o North Suffolk Community Facilities, Inc. street & number 301 Broadway Chelsea city, town N/ Avicinity of 5. Location of Legal Description state MA 02150 courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Suffolk County Registry of Deeds street & number Pemberton Square city, town Boston 6.

Representation in Existing Surveys Inventory of the Historic Assets title of the Commonwealth #47 has this property been determined eligible? 1977 state Massachusetts yes date depository for survey records Boston federal X _ state Massachusetts Histórical Commission 294 Washington Street - county local Mas sachusetts city, town state 7. Description Church of Christ, Revere Condition X excellent good fair deteriorated ruins unexposed Check one _ unaltered _altered Cgeck one original site (1856; turned 90° on original site) moved date Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Description of the property

In its present appearance, the Church of Christ in Revere is a three-story Shingle Style of plan with an irregular roofline. The exterior walls are clad with wood shingles while asphalt shingles cover the roof. The building consists of a two-story gable-roofed main block on a one- story raised brick basement. The main body of the building contains the intact two-story, 43' frame of Revere's 1710 meetinghouse. To the west is a two-and-a-half story gable-roofed addition (1888) extending slightly beyond the width of the main block. Projecting off the east end of main block is a narrower two-story shed-roofed addition (1888) with a one-story hipped-roof addition (1888) at the northeast corner. The Church of Christ stands on an asphalt-paved triangular lot in a neighbor- hood of late 19th and early 20th century one to three-story houses.

It is located approximately 4 mile northeast of Revere's municipal center. Exterior Features: The roof of the original meetinghouse is a gable of shallow pitch, its profile distinct from those of the later additions. The roof of the main block features open eaves supported on curved shingled brackets. The additions are marked by lower rooflines: the west addition is enclosed by a gable roof with a steep slope springing from a ridge parallel to but slightly below that of the meetinghouse. Its gable forms a shallow over- hang supported on curved shingled brackets on the second story level. The shed-roofed east addition rises just to the gable of the meetinghouse and contains a narrow chimney in one corner. Both east and west additions display plain boxed cornices. The walls of the building contain a variety of windows in paired and single combinations.

In the main block, the main bays are defined by three rectangular windows set in round-arched surrounds on the second story level. The raised red brick basement contains four single windows with 4/4 sash Ilanking a central paired window with 4/4 sash below and a fixed transom above. A11 of the basement windows feature rough cut brownstone lintels and sills. The west addition contains four 2/2 windows (c.1940) in the gable end in a symmetrical arrangement with paired windows flanking a single central window with another single window on the peak. On the second story large 4/4 windows occupy the end bays while the first story contains a side entrance with a small pedimented portico (c.1940), an irregular sequence of paired and single windows (one of which contains glass blocks, c.1940), and a rectangular ventilator of c.1940.

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 use only recelved date entered NOV | 3 984 Continuation sheet Church of Christ, Revere Item number 7 1 Page In the shed-roofed east addition, two windows, one paired and the other single, punctuate the end walls. The hip-roofed addition contains anothet entrance and five windows, two of them rectangular with 4/4 sash and the other three square windows with 6/1 sash. Simple wooden surrounds enclose all the windows in the east and west additions. The foundation of the building is of stone masonry faced with brick and dates from the enlarge- ment of 1888.

With the exception of the massing and profile of the 1710 meetinghouse, the majority of the exterior design features (detailing, sheathing, major fenestration) of the building derive from the Shingle Style renovations of 1888. Exterior features dating from c.1940 are: gable and gable window and ventilator in the west addition, and pedimented entry porch and glass block window on the north elevation. Interior Features: The most notable feature of the building's interior is the timber frame of the 1710 meetinghouse which is enclosed within the present structure. Encompassing the central auditorium space and the attic above, the frame is covered over except in the attic. The structural frame includes: corner posts, four intermediate posts on each long side, north and south plates, and two distinct roof truss systems--one to frame the end walls and one to span the auditorium.

The end walls are framed with single principal rafters, tie beams and studding. The four intermediate roof trusses consist of double principal rafters, one place approximately six inches below the other, a king post and tie beam. The double rafters are mortised into Diagram 1. Dizkramekindepoetomostietsorrostersanemedar pedand The spanning tie beams are hewn into a gentle upward bow (see Photograph 7 and Diagram 1). Six common purlins are set into the top of the uppermóst rafters. The frame is of oak. Major beams are approximately 12" x 12"; raftersnare perhaps 6" x 7" - Some early finishes are attached to the frame. The roof is sheathed with wide vertical boards and where visible, the rest of the frame exhibits horizontal wide-board sheathing attached nails. with hand-wrought There is every reason to believe that this sheathing dates from the construction of the meetinghouse in 1710.

In one place, plaster on riven lath can be seen. Hence, more 18th century interior finish may exist within the walls of the auditorium. Among decorative interior features of the meetinghouse space, only a handsome wood-grained arch supported by panelled pilasters with Corinthian capitals is of note. Located on the east waltiof the auditorium, this arch must have formed part of the embellishment of the chancel in the 1888 renovation. NPS Form 10-900-a (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 For NPS use only received date entered N3 1984 Continuation sheet Church of Christ, Revere Item number 7 2 Page The meetinghouse, or auditorium space, occupies the second and third level in the center of the building, its north and south walls being exterior walls.

The rest of the building consists of auxiliary spaces added during the remodelling of 1888: a kitchen, vestry and classroom with astage built underneath the meetinghouse when it was raised up; a vestibule, new stair- ways, a ladies parlor and several anté-rooms added to the west; and a minister's room and organ loft over full basement added to the east. Original Appearence and Subsequent Alterations: When constructed, in 1710, the Rumey Marsh meetinghouse (as the Church of ? and featured a gable roof and simple rectangular plan. An 1823 painting of the meetinghouse (Figure 1) shows a structure with five bays, a double tier of symmetrically arranged windows and a central entrance with pediment on the facade. While the entrance pediment may nave been a later Georgian addition, the Iive bay plan and double tier windows can be presumed to be that of 1710.

A porch and tower and spire were added sometime in the 18th century, perhaps in conjunction with the purchase of a bell proposed in 1748. In 1823, the badly deteriorated spire was replaced by an octagonal domed cupola, which surmounted its tower until the 1888 renovations. In 1856, the building was turned around 90° on its site and remodelled ir the Italianate style atter designs by Boston architect, Ihomas Silloway. A new pedimented entrance porch was built enclosing the loth century tower and embellished with a substantial arched drip molding over the door- way, corner pilasters, and long round-headed windows on the sides. two original tiers of windows in the meetinghouse were removed. Window openings in the end bays were closed up. In the remaining bays, new longer windows, the uppermost ones with rounded heads, were installed.

meetinghouse was given corner pilasters and the design was tied together by a broad frieze running around both new and old parts of the building. the interior, a new pulpit was installed at the end rather than the side of the building and seating was rearranged accordingly (see Figure 2). In 1888, the building was enlarged and given more or less its present Shingle Style form. The meetinghouse was raised up a story on its present brick basement and the east and west additionswere constructed. 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 use only received date entered NOV 1 3 1984 Continuation sheet Church of Christ, Revere Item number 7 Page 3 The entrance was moved to the northwest corner and marked by a porch with low-sweeping roof.

The minister's room added on the northeast corner had a similar low-sweeping roof. The existing tower was heightened and given a pyramidal roof. retained, all other features of the 1856 renovation were superseded. eeptthough856 Although the round-headed windows were The building was given a shingled exterior except for accents of brick and rough cut brownstone marking the new walls below the meetinghouse. imple shingled brackets and one row of saw-toothed shingles became the only decorative features (see Figure 3). Around 1940, the Masonic Association, which purchased the building in 1919, removed the tower, raised the notth slope of the gable of the west addition, closed in the entry porch, covered over the lower tier of windows in the meetinghouse, and replaced the upper tier of round-headed windows with the rectangular ones. There have been no further changes made to the structure.

Archaeological Considerations: No subsurface testing has been carried out. Family tombs (installed 1806, removed 1912) and stables are mentioned in the records and there has been activity on the site since the early 18th century. However, the ground has been substantially disturbed during the construction of new foundations and retaining walls, and installation of asphalt parking areas. Fill may have been used to raise the ground level behind the retaining walls.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Significance Church of Christ, Revere Period prehistoric 1400-1499 1500-1599 1600-1699 X : 1700-1799 X 1800-1899 X 1900-1919 Areas of SignificanceCheck and justify below archeology-prehistoric community planning archeology-historic conservation - agriculture economics X architecture education _art engineering commerce exploration/settlement communications industry invention X landscape architecture X religion law literature military music philosophy politics/government science sculpture social/ humanitarian theater transportation other(specify) Specific dates 1710; 1856; 1888 Builder

Statement of significance

/Architect 1856 - Thomas Silloway Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) The Church of Christ is architecturally significant for its intact 1710 meetinghouse frame, which is one of the earliest meetinghouses structures surviving in New England; and as an illustration of the manner in which early buildings were updated to reflect current architectural modes. Historically, the building is important as the focus of political and religious life in 18th century Rumney Marsh (now Revere) and Chelsea (established as a town in 1738 with Rumney Marsh as its center). The building also evidences the perceived need of its 19th century congregation to be housed in a stylish structure. The Church of Christ possesses integrity of location, materials, c workmanship and association.

As a rare surviving early 18th century of Christ meets Criteria A and C of the National Register of Historic Places on the local level. Architectural Significance: The Church of Christ building contains the earliest meetinghouse structure (1710) in Suffolk County and is among the halt dozen oldest meetinghouses in New England. It predates any other existing building in Revere by a quarter of a century. The original building was a simple structure reflecting the modest life-style of its parishoners. Its simplicity was characteristic of 18th century meetinghouses in outlying suburbs and rural areas with limited economic base, such as Rumney Marsh was in 1710 when the meetinghouse was constructed. Architecturally, it is an earlj example of the rectangular plan, gable-roofed meetinghouse form, entered on the long wall, which was typical of New England meetinghouses from ca.1700 to ca. 1730.

In addition to its age, the Church of Christ is significant for its intact 1710 timber frame, all the elements of which survive, enclosed within the present Shingle Style structure. The frame, which is comparáblé to those of other surviving early 18th century New England meetinghouses, is apparently unique in one particular: the roof truss system employs bowed tie beams to span the width of the auditorium (see Photo 7 and Diagram 1). While no other American examples of this form are known (interview with Abbott Lowell Cummings, 1983), curved or elbowed tie beams are frequently found in medieval and post-medieval English architecture.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References See Attachment 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property 0.39 adres Boston North Quadrangle name UT M References * Ligl L3l 314/81310 Zone Easting 416/916/91610/ Northing CL E Quadrangle scale 1:24,000 Easting -LiJ F Northing Lhlu GLULLILLULILILL Verbal boundary description and justification HLULtaUdiL See Sheet List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries state N/A code county code state code county code 11. Form Prepared By Sarah Zimmerman, Preservation Planning Director, with" name/title Anne Andrus Grady, Preservation Consultant organization Massachusett Historical Commission date July, 1984 street & number 294 Washington Street .-teléphone 727-8470 city or town Boston state Massachusetts 02108 12.

State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: national state X local As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89 665), I hereby nominatethis 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 Valerie A. Ialmage title Executive Director, State Historic Pres.

Officer date Siptemter 22,184 For NPS use only I hereby ertify that this property is included in the National Register lvust kopar ar the Mational Aoisigeu mnterea in the National Regiaten Attest: Chief of Registration GPO 894-785 date 11-1384 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 Continuation sheet Church of Christ, Revere Item number OMB No.1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 For NPS use only received date entered NOV | 3 984 8 .1 Page In its evolution from 1710 into the 20th century, the building is also notable as an illustration of the manner in which New England meeting- houses were remodelled to suit the dictates of changing architectural fashion.

The Church of Christ building is a dramatic example of this process, which occurred frequently in New England, especially prior to 1 Erequeneiy in tea 1850. Although numerous mid to late 18th century meetinghouses in Massachusetts were re-worked in the Federal, Greek Revival or Itallanate styles, few survived to undergo subsequent late 19th century remodellings and none dating as early as the Church of Christ are known to survive. Prior to 1856, the only majorrchanges to the Church of Christ were the addition of a tower and spire, probably ca.1148, and the spires replace- ment (with octagonal cupola) in 1823. In 1856, the church was reoriented on its site and renovated in the Italianate style. Later, in 1000, another renovation resulted in the Shingle Style appearence the building largely retains today.

The 19th-century transformations of the building reflect the strong desire of the congregation for an up to date building even though their modest resources precluded replacing the structure altogether. The congregation, mostly farmers and industrial workers of limited means, was apparently determined to follow the l9th-century trend toward replacement of old fashioned meetinghouses, first in classical and then in picturesque styles. The ir reuse of the same structure twice is an unusual expression of thriftiness. TThe Italianate and Shingle Style remodellings in 1856 and 1888, respectively, were evidence of the current popularity of thóse styles and repeated a sequence of stylistic changes sought by many 19th- century congregations in New England.

No architect has been identified for the 1888 remodelling öf the building, however, plans for the 1856 remodelling were prepared by Thomas Silloway, a well-respected church architect who practiced in the Boston area from c.1856 to c.1905. Historical Significance: Historically, the Church of Christ is associated with the 18th and 19th century development of Rumney Marsh and Chelsea as the seat of both local government and public worship. Originally part of Boston, but separated by water, Kumney Marsh received permission in 1709 to build its own meetinghouse. The Church of Christ 'building was constructed the following year and served as a site of religious observance from 1710 until it was sold in 1919. When the Rumney Marsh area was set off from Boston as Chelsea in 1738, the meetinghouse became the location of all town meetings. It remained in that use until 1806.

NPS Form 10-900-a (3-82) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form Continuation sheet Church of Christ, Revere Item number 8 OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 For NPS use only received date entered O/1 3 2 Page In the early 19th century, the Church of Christ became identified with Unitarianism and, in 1828, a group of parishioners opposed to the shift, broke off to form their own church. From 1710 to 1828, the Church of Christ served as Chelsea's only meetinghouse. Later in the 19th century, area and in the religious persuasion of the neighboring population weakened the church's viability and, in 1919, the Church of Christ disbanded. The building was sold to the Seaview Lodge of the Masonic Association, which used it actively until 1982.

Although the exterior of the building has been completely transformed twice, the original timber frame of the meetinghouse is still intact and its roof profile remains visible in the massing of the structute. The current exterior finishes date primarily from the remodelling of 1888. While renovations in the 1940's (removal of the tower, raising of a gable, covering over some windows, and filling in a porch) have diminished the pictüresque character of the 1888 building, the Church of Christ retains * 1888 Buiting strong evidence of its Shingle Style transformation. Archaeological Significance: Frequent disturbances of the ground on the site (installation in 1806 and removal in 1912 of tombs, terracing, laying of asphalt) make the retrieval of archaeological information unlikely.

NPS Form 10-900-a (3-82) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form Continuation sheet Church of Christ, Revere Item number 9 OMB No. 1024-0018 Exp. 10-31-84 For NPS use only received date entered NOV 1 31984 1 Page 9. Major Bibliographical References Chamberlain, Mellen. A Documentary History of Chelsea. Boston: Massachusetts Historical Society, 1908. Vol. II, Pp. 178-321. Shurtleff, Benjamin. The History of the Town of Revere. Boston: Beckler Press, 1938. pp.418-466. Sinnott, Edmund W. Meetinghouse and Church in Early New England. New York: MeGraw Hill, 1963. Withey, Henry F. and Elsie Rathburn Withey. Biographical Dictionary American Architects. Los Angeles: Hennessy and Ingalls, 1970. p.554.

Church Records at: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Revere Public Library Unitarian Universalist Association, 25 Beacon Street, Boston 10. Verbal Boundary Description and Justification (continuation) Beggining at the corner of Beach Street and Cary Avenue, thence running southerly by Cary Avenue about one hundred and thirty seven and 54/100 (137.54) feet to Eustis Street, thence turning and running westerly and northwesterly by Eustis Street to land of Sarah R. Hastings, et al. shówn as lot A on a plan recorded with certificate No.

6619 filed in the Suffolk County Registry District; thence turning and running northerly by said Hastings land fifteen (1) feet; thence turning and running south- westerly by said Hastings land, fourteen and 75/100 (14.75) feet to Eustis Street, thence northerly by Eustis Street to Beach Street, thence curning and running easterly by Beach Street one hundred and eighty six and 41/100 (186.41) feet to the point of the beginning.--Book 2159, page 312 Suffolk County Registry of Deeds. The nominated area comprises the lot currently owned by North Suffolk Community Facilities and shown as parcel 237A of the attached City of Revere Assessor's Map, Plate 16 (1" =100%). Figure 1. Annearance of Church of Christ Building between 1823 and 1856. Painting in the Revere Public Library, as renroduced in Revere 100 Years 1871 - 1971, published by the City of Revere, 1971. Figure 2.

Apnearance of the Church of Christ Building between 1856 and 1888. Photogranh in Revere Public Library as renroduced in Revere 100 Years 1871 - 1971- Figure 3. Annearance of the Church of Christ Building between 1888 and c. 1845. Photogranh in Revere Public Library as reproduced in Revere 100 Years 1871- 1971. Diagram 1 Roof Truss System of Intermediate Bays of Meetinghoase Roof Not to Scale (Tenons dotted in only where their configuration could be estimated) WASO Form - 177 ("R" June 1984) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET Church ofChrist Suffolk County MASSACHUSETTS resubmission nomination by person or local government owner objection appeal Substantive Review: Reviewer's comments: sample Jrequest Working No._ OCT y 1984 Fed. Reg.

Date:OX7 Date Due: 184-11/23/84 Entered in theAction: -ACCEPT _ 11-3-84 National Regiaten RETURN _REJECT. Federal Agency: Jappeal NR decision Recom./Criteria Reviewer Discipline Date. see continuation sheet Nomination returned for: .technical corrections cited below substantive reasons discussed below 1. Name 2. Location 3. Classification Category Ownership Public Acquisition 4. Owner of Property 5. Location of Legal Description 6. Representation in Existing Surveys Has this property been determined eligible? yes no 7. Description Condition excellent good fair deteriorated ruins unexposed Check one unaltered altered Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance summary paragraph completeness clarity alterations/integrity dates boundary selection Status Accessible Present Use Check one J original site moved date 8.

Significance Period Areas of Significance-Check and justify below Specific dates Builder/Architect Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) - 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 Jaian ETT2 9. Major Bibliographical References 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property Quadrangle name UTM References Verbal boundary description and justification 11. Form Prepared By 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: national state local State Historic Preservation Officer signature title date 13.

Other J Maps Photographs Other Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Signed Date _ Phone: _ Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet Revere Masonic Temple 265 Beach Street Revere, MA Photographer: Anne Grady Date: May 24, 1983 Negative in possession of photographer at: 10 Trotting Horse Drive Lexington, MA 02173 Photograph Number 1 of 7. View of building looking southeast - Revere Masonic Temple 265 Beach Street Revere, MA Photographer: Anne Grady Date: May, 1983 Negative in possession of photographer at: 10 Trotting Horse Drive Lexington, MA 02173 Photograph Number 2 of 7 View of building looking southwest. Revere Masonic Temple 265 Beach Street Revere.

MA Photographer: Anne Grady Date: May, 1983 Negative in possession of photographer at: 10 Trotting Horse Drive Iexington, MA 02173 Photograph Number 3 of 7 View building looking northeas: - Revere Masonic ' Temple 265 Beach Street Revere, MA Photographer: Anne Grady Date: May, 1983 Negative in possession of photographer at: 10 Irotting Horse Drive Lexington. MA 02173 Photograph Number 4 of 7 View of building looking northwest - photographer at: 10 Trotting Horse Drive Lexington, MA 02173 Photograph Number 5 of 7 View of king post with double rafters framed into it in meetinghouse roof- Revere Masonic Temple 265 Beach Street Revere, MA Photographer: Anne Grady Date: May, 1983 Negative in possession of photographer at: 10 Trotting Horse Drive Lexington, MA 02173 Photograph Number 6 of 7 View of double rafters framed into tie beam in meetinghouse roof.

Revere Masonic Temple 265 Beach Street Revere, MA hotographer: Anne Grady Date: May, 1983 Negative in possession of photographer at: 10 Trotting Horse Drive Lexington, MA 02173 Photograph Number 7 of 7 View of bowed tie beams in meetinghouse roof.