BlockThe nomination, in full
Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.
VORM B - BUILDING MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION 80 BOYLSTON STREET BOSTON, MA 02116 AUG 0 4 1989 Photo (3"x3" or 3"x5ª, black and white) Indicate address of property on back of photo. Staple to left side of form. Sketch Map: Draw map showing property's Tocation in relation to nearest cross streets and/or geographical features. Indicate all buildings between inventoried property and nearest intersection(s). Indicate north See Attached Assessor's Map UTM REFERENCE 19 327/020 4694/740 USGS QUADRANGLE SCALE 1:25,000 Boston, Morth 1262 AREA FORM NO.
143 Town Somerville Address 125 Highland Avenue Historic Name First Universalist Use: Present religious Original religious DESCRIPTION Date 1916-1923 Source Tucci, Built in Boston, P.171 Style Italian Romanesque ArchitectRalphAdams Cram Exterior Wall Fabric brick, stucco, teri cotta Outbuildings _ none Major Alterations (with dates) Condition good none Moved no Date n/a Acreage _ less than one acre Setting North side of Highland, heavil: traveled route, with residettial and commercial surrounds, office space late 19th c. housing and new construc Recorded by Gretchen G. Schuler Organization Mass. Historical Commissir Date_ September, 1988 NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERIA STATEMENT (if applicable) The First Universalist Church retains integrity of location, design, materials, workmanship, and association with the early 20th century religious community of Somerville.
It is the only local example of work by well known architect Ralph Adams Cram. The First Universalist Church fulfills Criteria A and C of the National Register of Historic - Places on the local level. ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE Describe important architectural features and evaluate in terms of other buildings within the community. The First Universalist Church, built from 1916 to 1923, is an example of a Romanesque design with the Gothic cruciform plan and an attached side tower- Although it is described by Douglas Jucci (Built in Boston) as "uniformly bland" the use of brick, stucco and terra cotta variety to the unadorned architectural detail. The Romanesque windows, the stringcourses of the tower, and the buttresses all with brick and terra cotta trim are the only elements of decoration.
There is one rondele of stained glass on the west facade that adds variety and interest to the design. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE Explain the role owners played in local or state history and how the building relates to the development of the community. Built on Central Hill the First Universalist Church was the last major church built in this area. Street - a c auee to ora 3au It was the site of civic buildings, several churches of large congregations,, and of large single family homes. The First Universalist Church was the last large church to be built in the area and situated diagonally across Highland Avenue from the Hartwell and Richardson designed First Unitarian Church. architect Raiph Adams Cram, one of the foremost designers of Gothic architecture in America, designed the First Universalist Church a deviation from his usual style for religious and institutional buildings.
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES Tucci, Douglas, Built in Boston, p.17l. 8/85 SYCAMORE STREST 3006-/ -32000 20 3200- 3.K RAILROAD JEROME CT #143 -2560. 04 - 2571. 11.37 03.5 3a500- 266: O-a58i MONTROSE ST. PT. LOTS 485 3542 PT. LOTS 485 3000 p- 3000 LOTS 788 3000 PT. LOTS 5867 2948$ 3000- 40 40 PT. LOTS PT. LOTS 5,6822 22 & 23 3000- = ,3000% MADISON ST. 96 ~ 6074. 3275. 4055- s07s -) 65.01 21000- 9408* 9800 - -7700- 40 18 8 19 5400- 40 3200-/ 15 3200 -3200- - 13 --3200 10 32300L52000 10 32000 32000 8 3200 - PE 2620- rikst Universalist SOUTHERN DIVISION 125 Highland Ave Soreville (MKA), 46.1 30.10 40.1 Mass- 18140 40% 40. 40.15 40.0 JEROME ST 2913 428210 15 MONTROSE =24120 5R 22. PT.L 3821 REG. LOT 5750 _3652 H- 3521- PT. LOTS 8&9 3000 PT. LOT 3000% PT. LOT 3000 c LOT 118:2 3000 TZ LOTS
LOTS 3000% PT.LOT 30 PT LOTS 1687 2500% PT. LOTS 238 24 @ PT. L0O 24 PT. 1000 27L0TS PT. LOTS 230.26 PT. LOTS 33000 c 3000 -30008 PT:0002 40 3000. 3000- 137 80.4 PT. LOT F 8663 --_- 4560° = 121. PT. LOTS 29830 587 PT. LOTS 30 & 31 5178 PT. 52811 45870 170. 22.91 40.00 37.5 36.K0 37.5 11.975- 11.045- 8 PT. LOT 6 I8 PT.LCT 6/ STRIP B PT. LOT 5 11.0750 375 HGHLAND AuSnuE NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number Page OMB Approvel No. 1024-0018 Multiple Resource Area Thematic Group Name State Somerville MPS Middlesex County, MASSACHUSETTS Nomination/Type of Review Date/Signature 21. Crowell, C.C., House ored in the National Registox /Keeper Attest HeluseAyuu 9/18/89 22.
Downer Rowhouses (Adams Street)ered Keepe atiunal Register Nebuyun 4/0/09 Attest 23. Downer Rowhouses (Central Street) Entered in the fikeeper AeluuByun 9/18/89 National Register Attest Su'24. First Unitarian Church Substantive Revlen frkeeper Bitton Sauage 9/18/89 Attest yut 25. First Universalist Church Ja KeeperBuh Devzze 9/15/89 Attest Entered In tha 26. Foster, Alexander, House Hatzonal Belat Keeper Auluspzun 9/15/69 Attest 27. Gaut, Samuel, House Anterad 1a tbe Nattonal Reglater fikeeper ubreBgur 9/16/64 Attest 28. Grandview, The Entered 1o tha Natlonal Regiater tKeeper AulmuByu 9/18/84 Attest 29. Highland, The f'keeper AilouByen 9//5/89 Entered 1n the National Reglater 30.
Hollander Blocks Intered in the National Registes Attest fo Keeper ( Aelrenbyens 9/18/89 Attest UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET REQUESTED ACTION: NOMINATION PROPERTY First Universalist Church NAME: MULTIPLE Somerville MPS NAME: STATE & COUNTY: MASSACHUSETTS, Middlesex DATE RECEIVED: DATE OF 16TH DAY: DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: 8/04/89 8/31/89 DATE OF PENDING LIST: DATE OF 45TH DAY: 8/15/89 9/18/89 REFERENCE NUMBER: 89001262 NOMINATOR: STATE REASONS FOR REVIEW: APPEAL: N DATA PROBLEM: N LANDSCAPE: N OTHER: N PDIL: N PERIOD: N REQUEST: N SAMPLE: N SLR DRAFT: Y LESS THAN 50 YEARS: PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: NATIONAL: N N N COMMENT WAIVER: N ACCEPT RETURN REJECT 9/18/89DATE ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: euce prereved decizu ge enepema Cham.
thus sigualing the close to a Jomerrlle's institutinal RECOM./CRITERIA Accept AtC REVIEWER - avzse ACPLINEOrdigertual Apstory 9/19/89 DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/see attached SLR Y/N CLASSIFICATION count resource type STATE/FEDERAL AGENCY CERTIFICATION FUNCTION historic current DESCRIPTION architectural classification materials descriptive text 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 BIBLIOGRAPHY GEOGRAPHICAL DATA acreage UTMS verbal boundary description boundary justification ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION/PRESENTATION _sketch maps USGS maps OTHER COMMENTS photographs presentation Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Phone Signed Date 125 Highland Ave 1.
125 Highland Avenue 2. Somerville. MA 3. C. Zellie 4.1984 5. Someruille Cuy Helll 6.10oking northeast # 143 Nist Uivosalest Church Smerville MRAM Please refer to the map in the Multiple Property Cover Sheet for this property Multiple Property Cover Sheet Reference Number: 64500253