BlockThe nomination, in full
Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.
FORK B - BUILDING AUG 04 1988 MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION 80 BOYLSTON STREET BOSTON, MA 02116 1264 AREA FORM NO. 144 Town Address Historic Name Somerville 130 Highland Avenue First Unitarian Church Photo (3"x3" or 3"x5*, 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 Z 12 USGS QUADRANGLE E N 326/970 Boston North 4694/720 SCALE 1:25,000 Use: Present religious Original religious DESCRIPTION Date 1894 Source cornerstone Style Richardsonian Romanesque Reviva.
Architect Hartwell, Richardson, & Drivi random quarre Exterior Wall Fabric faced granite Outbuildings none Major Alterations (with dates) none Condition good Moved no Date n/a Acreage less than one acre Setting South side of Highland, corner oI Trull Lane, residential, commerci: & institutional surrounds, heavily travelled route. Recorded by - Gretchen G. Schuler Organization Mass. Historical Commissic Date September, 1988 NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERIA STATEMENT (if applicable) The First Unitarian Church retains integrity of location, design, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association with the late-19th century institutional development of the Central Hill area of Somerville. The church is important for its association with well known architectural firm Hartwell, Richardson and Driver.
The First Unitarian Church fulfills Criteria A and Cof 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 Unitarian Church, built in 1894, is a fine example of the Richardsonian Romanesque style for which the building's designers, Hartwell, Richardson, and Driver, were so well known. The imposing structure displays an asymmetrical plan with steeply pitched gable roof clad in greyish-green slate. Variety in materials and architectural shapes contribute to the distinguished design. The random faced granite facades, the slate roof, the vertical wood batten entrance doors, the iron scroll full width door hinges, and the copper gutters and flashing have been retained.
Fenestration, which is varied, includes narrow lancet windows, round-headed and rectangular windows of multi lights, stained glass windows, and a one-story polygonal bay. The recessed entrance within a Romanesque arch is set within the base of the pyramidal corner belfry attached to the west side of the main church building. 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 Unitarian Church building was the last of several built for this congregation. Highland Avenue, originally part of an old route known as "Barberry Land" or "Middle Way" extended only to Central Street until 1870 when it was continued to Davis Square. It was the site of civic buildings, several churches of large congregations, and of large single family homes.
The First Unitarian Society of Somerville held its first meeting for public worship and was organized in 1844. The congregation had three church buildings between 1844 and 1869. In 1894 this building was erected. Renown architects Hartwell, Richardson, and Driver designed this church building in the style made popular by H.H. Richardson. The building is significant for its well defined architectural style and its association with the well known architectural firm. It is also important for its association with the development of Central Hill as the civic and institutional center of Somerville and for its association with the development of the religious community. BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES Bromely, G.W., Atlas of the City of Somerville, 1894. Samuels, Edward, Somerville: Past and Present, 1897. Somerville Journal, November 15, 1890.
8/85 39 * 2 20 50 3750 ¢ :IPT.LOT 3 -8406 - LOT 22 OT 1S LO7 33 g 4089- # 144 1'= 100' Highkend /vence First Unitarian church 130 Hichtand Ave. omaville. (URA) Mass 10.760 11,221 80 30 55.92 5730 - 3829 $ 5436 - 6467d 6418% LOT9 10g. LOT io 5000 ¢ LOT II 49304 5,249 10717 LOT 16 & PT LOTIIS = 65380 .40710 113.12 FIRST CHURCH IN SOMERVILLE UNITARIAN 18,608 - P.LOT 2 7104 ¢ 12,711 113.24 17,D E.LANE TRUL 2L.0s 3155 2700d 8536 4800- 4400 * 4000.3 5230g 4560 ¢ 3550- 3800 g 4026 - 7 32.0 "110 35.VF 6.38 PT. LOT 5 3760 1.LOT 250 0674 30 = 6029-s 37430 REG! LOT 5801 39.5 2808 HERSEY 60.08 F:+22005,13200@200332400 32005/58004927019 12350 OXFORD STREST 45 O 22 LOT 15 5268- 1197L_ LOT M 35280 LOT 13 8406 LOT 13 33+61 LOTTII 5,365- 107.1 LOT 1057 2316-L OTT 3397 LOT 8 34120 10 39.
OT L =|LOT 2 550 90 LOT 3- LOT 41 3528g 3 LOT A 32540 (3161 = LOT C 44600 WL 0la 2255 R2T9 /LOT 2 -53986 -30000 30009 a/5 3"° BERKELEY SINELT 255.) (1) NPS Form 10-900# (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number - Page Name State Somerville MS Middlesex County, MASSACHUSETTS Nomination/Type of Review OMB Approvel No. 1024-0018 Multiple Resource Area Thematic Group Date/Signature 21. Crowell, C.C., House Etored in the National Registex Faopor AelmerByur 9/10p0 Attest 22. Downer Rowhouses (Adams Street)ered 1n the Mational Register Aelnebyun 9/9/09 Attest 23. Downer Rowhouses (Central Street) Entered in tba JkeEper -Aelaue Byun 2/9/99 National Regiater Attest Sur'24. First Unitarian Church Substantiva Bevtos f/keeper Bitfn Saurge 9/18/89 eyur 25.
First Universalist Church 26. Foster, Alexander, House 27. Gaut, Samuel, House 28. Grandview, The 29. Highland, The 30. Hollander Blocks So Bk Sarese 9/18/89 Attest EnteredIn the Iataona In tiat Keeper Alumgun 9/1/k9 Attest Antared 1a the Nat1pnal Register fikeportulmeByu 2/1/49 Attest Entered io tha Natlonal Beglater Axaopor AuneByun a1e/19 Attest tkeeper AiloueByu 9/15/59 Entered 1n the National Register Attest Entered in the National Register pKeeper ( Aelvebyen 2/15/84 Attest NPS Form 10-900-8 (8-86) United States Department of the Interlor National Park Service Natlonal Register of Historic Places Continuatlon Sheet Section number Page.
OMB Approvel No.1024-0018 SUPPLEMENTARY LISTING RECORD NRIS Reference Number: 89001264 Date Listed: 09/18/89 First Unitarian Church Property Name Middlesex County MA State Somerville MPS Multiple Name This property is listed in the National Register of Historic Places in accordance with the attached nomination documentation subject to the following exceptions, exclusions, or amendments, notwithstanding the National Park Service certification included in the nomination documentation. sithy Javage Signature the Keeper 9-18-89 Date of Action Amended Items in Nomination: Section 8: Criteria considerations Criteria exception A is applicable for the property's religious function.
This information was confirmed with Betsy Friedberg, MASHPO, by telephone- DISTRIBUTION: National Register property file Nominating Authority (without nomination attachment) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET REQUESTED ACTION: NOMINATION PROPERTY First Unitarian 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: 8/15/89 DATE OF 45TH DAY: 9/18/89 REFERENCE NUMBER: 89001264 NOMINATOR: STATE REASONS FOR REVIEW: APPEAL: N DATA PROBLEM: N LANDSCAPE: N - LESS THAN 50 YEARS: OTHER: N PDIL: N PERIOD: N PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: REQUEST: N SAMPLE: N SLR DRAFT: Y NATIONAL: N N N COMMENT WAIVER: N ACCEPT _RETURN REJECT 2/18/89 DATE ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: the Central sill , uic/noxintnightolotaa the community.
RECOM./CRITERIA Occept A4C REVIEWER.
DANG FLIN Crtntmal Htistery 1/18/89 DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/D see attached SLR S/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 130 Highland Avenue 2.
Someruille. MA 3. C. Zellie 4. 1985 5. Someruille cily Hall 6. loking southeast 7# 144 First Unitaran Church Sanerville MRA Ma pnnybtogi Please refer to the map in the Multiple Property Cover Sheet for this property Multiple Property Cover Sheet Reference Number: _ 64500253