BlockThe nomination, in full
Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.
FORM B - BUILDING MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION 80 BOYLSTON STREET BOSTON, MA 02116 Photo (3"x 3" or 3"x5", black and white) Indicate address of property on back of photo. Staple to left side of form. AUG 2 1 1989 1546 AREA FORM NO. Town Address 107 T WALTHAM, MA MRA Waltham, Massachusetts 750 Main Street Historic Name Church Christ Episcopal .Use Present church Original church DESCRIPTION Date 1897 - 1898 Source Style C.B. Fuller Jr., "History of Christ Episcopal Church" English Country Gothic Architect Peabody and Stearns wood Shingle Exterior Wall Fabric local tieldstone Outbuildings _ none Sketch Map: Draw map showing property's location in relation to nearest cross streets and/or geographical features. Indicate all buildings between inventoried property and nearest intersection(s).
Indicate north Major Alterations (with dates) contributing additions -1923 Condition good UTM REFERENCE 19/315500/4693710 USGS QUADRANGLE LEXINGTON SCALE 1:25,000 Moved nO Acreage Date n/a 33,191 sq.ft. 0.76 59~21-3 Situated on well landscaped Setting lot with flower bordered path leading to main entrance. Across the street from Georgian Revival Waltham Public Library (1915). Rupert A.M. Davis Recorded by Edward W. Gordon Organization Waltham Hist. Comm. Date June, 1986 revised by C. Jenkins 3/88 NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERIA STATEMENT (if applicable) The significance of Christ Episcopal Church is threefold. First and foremost, Christ Episcopal Church has served the spiritual, cultural and social needs of Waltham's Episcopalians and others since its founding in 1849: Architecturally, this church represents a major ecclessiatical work by the leading late 19th/early 20th c.
Boston architectural firm - Peabody and Stearns. This builder-constructed church represents the most original and adventurous interpretation of the English Country Gothic style in the Boston area. In addition, it contains several superb stain glass windows by Louis ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE Describe important architectural features and evaluate in terms of other buildings within the community. Designed by the well known Boston firm of Peabody and Stearns, the present church was erected in 1897 with John A. Dodge as chief contractor. With the connected parish house, the grouping of the buildings is meant "to resemble what night be found in an English country town" Parish house are field stone or rubble and g robg e amd esiber wiseh slate ro.s. - The materials for the Church and timber with slate roofs. The stone was a gift of Robert Treat Paine from his estate in Waltham.
The style is English Country Gothic. The final cost for both the church and parish house was $84,897.11. Robert S. Peabody (1845-1917) and John G. Stearns (1843-1917) formed the well known Boston firn of Peobody and Stearns (1870-1917). Peabody studied in England and at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. Stearns attended the Lawrence Scientific School in Cambridge and then entered the Boston office of (cont) HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE Explain the role owners played in local or state history and how the building relates to the development of the community. Established as a mission church in 1849 by the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Massachusetts, Christ Church began in a small wooden Gothic building (designed by Joseph Billings) on Central Street. The first rector was the Reverend Thomas Fales of St. Paul's Church, Brunswick, Maine.
Under his pastorate, a rectory was established west of the church and a separate mission church, the Church of the Ascension, was consecrated, becoming an independent church in 1885. Christ Church was enlarged 1860, and again in 1875 when a chapel was added. The celebrated Philips Brooks of Irinity Church, Boston had preached at Christ Church on May 31st, 1874. The Reverend Fales resigned in 1890 on his 50th anniversary as a priest. He was replacei by the Reverend Herbert N. Cunningham of Watertown, Connecticut. In 1891, Robert Treat Paine offered $2,000 towards a new lot and new church. In 1892, the parish bought the present site on Main Street. In 1895, the Reverend Hurbert W. Wells of Grace Church New York City became the rector. When the old church building was sold in 1895, services were held in Maynard Hall.
In 1895, a builing committee was appointed, which resulted in selection of Peabody and Stearns, architects, to build a new (cont) BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES Please see attached sheet for bibliography and/or references WALTHAM, MA MKA Christ Episcopal Church, #107 750 Main Street NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERIA, Christ Episcopal Church, continued Comfort Tiffany and Charles Connick. Christ Episcopal Church possesses integrity of location, design, materials, workmanship, feeling and association. It meets criteria ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE, continued Ware and Van Brunt. The firm was responsible for such Boston buildings as the old Exchange Building (53 State Street) and the Customs House Tower, and in Gothic Style, the Providence Railroad Station (now demolished).
The heavily buttressed tower of rubblestone has a broach spire and is attached to the side of the west end of the nave, which possesses aisle columns and arched trusses with a wooden roof. In 1923, the chancel was altered and the altar enlarged. The parish house which connects to the chancel or east end of the church is distinguished by its uncut fieldstone walls, prominent bargeboarded gables and decorated dormers. The porch of the street door is supported by brackets, carved in the form of angelic faces with feathered wings stretching behind them. The church contains a number of windows by the celebrated Connick Studios of Boston including, the Great West Window given by Will and Louise Nichols. The central theme of the Great West Window is devoted to the Holy Family. A wealth of symbolism of local industry is introduced through the two field and circular medallions.
There is the lathe, the Metz car, the watch escapement, the gear pump, the bicycle wheel, the spindle and shuttle, and the foundry. Other windows by this firm include the clerestory narthex and transom windows. Charles J. Connick (1875-1946), an important early 20th century stained glass artist based in Boston experimented with medieval techniques at his studio on Harcourt Street. He received many awards. His most famous work is the Great West Rose Window at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. Locally he worked with Ralph Adams Cram at All Saints Ashmont, Dorchester; designed windows for the Cowley Father's Monastery in Cambridge; All Saint's Church in Brookline, and Blessed Sacrament in Jamaica Plain, among others. There is also a Tiffany window depicting the Nativity. Louis C. Tiffany (1848-1933) was the son of Charles L.
Tiffany, owner of the famous New York Jewelery Store. Having enrolled at the National Academy of Design in New York, he also studied painting with George Inness of the Hudson river School and the luminist painter George Colman. By the end of the 1870's, he had turned to making of stained and opalescent glass. He quickly became well known and in 1882, was asked to redecorate the White House. Besides his secular work, he provided windows for many churches in New York and elsewhere. Locally, examples of windows from the Tiffany Studios may be seen at the Arlington Street Church (Boston), the Church of the Covenant (Boston), the Church of our Savior (Brookline), and the Theodore Parker Church in West Roxbury. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE, continued church, whose cornerstone was laid on June 9, 1897 by Bishop William Lawrence.
Consecrated by the same Bishop in 1902, the new church also included ,parish house named for the first Rector Thomas Fales. The Reverend Francis E. Webster, Rector of the Church of the Ascension, became Rector in 1900. A new rectory built at 768 Main Street was occupied in 1919. This was later sold to the United States for a post office and a new rectory purchased. (cont) HAULLALS Christ Episcopal Church, #107 750 Main Street HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE, continued 1898 saw the start of publication of the parish magazine - the Waltham Churchman, still being published today. Between the wars the parish had many active groups including the Sir Galahad Club for Boys, the Women's Auxiliary, an Altar Guild and the Red Cross. In 1930, the Reverend Webster resigned to be replaced by the Reverend George O. Ekwall.
In 1960, the Reverend Ekwall became Archdeacon of the Northern Archdeaconry of the Diocese of Massachusetts. He was replace by Reverend John S. Cromier, rectory of St. Andrews Church, Meriden, Connecticut. In 1971, the Reverend William R. Mawhinney of St. Mark's Church, Westford, became rector. Christ Church continues its active role in the community, having been a founding member of the Waltham Conference of Church Unity- BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES Charles River Museum Files. "1974-1975 Marks the 125th Anniversary Year of Christ Episcopal Church" "This is Your Church", Christ Church, 750 Main Street. Pamphlet, early The Edison Electric Illuminating Company, "Waltham", 1909, Waltham Historical Society files. SPNEA photo files. Fuller, Charles B. Jr., "History of Christ Episcopal Church, 1964.
Sturm, James and Chotas, James: "Stained Glass from Medieval Times to the Present" , Dutton, Inc. NY 1982. CHRIST CHVRCH AND PARISH HOVSE WALTHAM" MASS: DEABODY AND STEARNS: ÄRCHTS. NORTH ELEVATION. 5 10 15 30 55 FROM: Christ Charch, waltam, Ma. Scrapbook collection : waltham. Public Library 1 11M INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Office of the Secretary, Boston Community : Form No: WALTHAM, MA 107 Property Name: Christ church 750 MAIN ST Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued below. CHRIST CHURCH, WALTHAM Staple to Inventory form at bottom INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Office of the Secretary, Boston WALTHAM, MA MRA Commmi ty : Form No: waltham, Ma. 107 Property Name: Christ Church 750 Mzinst. Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued below.
WEST ELEVATION SAIf :t Staple to Inventory form at bottom INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET - MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Office of the Secretary, Boston Commmity: waitham, Ma. Form No: 107 Property Name: Christ church 750 Man st Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued below. CHRIST - CHVRCH PARISH - HOVSE - WALTHAM - MASS PLABODY AND- STEARNS - ARCH'TS RECCRS ROOM CHANCE CHO'R ROOM ENTE BIBLE CLASS HALL MENSROOM: FIRST FLOOR PLAN SCALE Staple to Inventory form at bottom INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Office of the Secretary, Boston Commmity : waltham. Ma. Form No: 102 Property Name: christ church 150 MAINST Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued below.
CHRIST - CHVRCH AND PARISH - HOVSE- WALTHAM - MASS- PEABODY.ANo.STEARNS - ARCHTS LOGKER POOM VPPER PART OF ISVNDAY SCHOOL GYMNASIUM LADIES MEETING ROOM ILADIES QLVB HALL 4 CHILDREN BOYS ALVB SECONDFLOOR PLAN 3AT""1 BASEMENT PLAN *.ni., Staple to Inventory form at bottom NPSForm 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 AUG 2 | 1989 Multiple Resource Area Thematic Group Name State Waltham MRA Middlesex County, MASSACHUSETTS Nomination/Type of Review Date/Signature 11. Boston Manufacturing Company Housing (153--165 River St.) intered 1n snttomel Restater Entered in the 12. Brigham House fatterad Register LkeeperZhluaAzun Attest 4/24/84 Lkeeper Aelmepgan 9/28/69 Attest 13.
Building at 202--204 Charles Street r Keeper viltoled National Register Attest /Keeper AulauBzun 9/28/69 14. Buttrick, Francis, Housentered in the National Register HelouBgu 9/28/09 Attest Su 15. Buttrick, Francis, Library Substantive Rev Srkeoper BothY-Sange 9122/a9 Attest 16. Byam, Charles, Housentered in tha Dationad Regiator Heeper AulnusBgun 1/28/89 Attest 17. Central Square Historic Derediit the Entered National Register /Keeper Auloes Byes 9/28/89 Attest 18. Charles Street Workers' Housing Historic District intered 1n Latronah AE Keeper ( TuemeDyen tha 9/20/59 SuN 19. Christ Episcopal Church Substantive Review 20.
Clough, Benjamin F., House Attest forkeeper porfSange vhale Attest fkeeper Memmßgu 2/28/59 Poturod In tho i.wd Rogintoz Attest NPS Form 10-900- (8-86) United States Department of the Interior NationalPark Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number. Page OMB Approvel No. 1024-0018 SUPPLEMENTARY LISTING RECORD NRIS Reference Number: 89001546 Date Listed: 09/28/89 Christ Episcopal Church Property Name Middlesex County MA State Waltham MRA 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.
Bittò 1.Sane for stgnatutes f the Keepef 9/28/89 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 Ann Tait, Acting National Register Director, 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 Christ Episcopal Church NAME: MULTIPLE Waltham MRA NAME: STATE & COUNTY: MASSACHUSETTS, Middlesex DATE RECEIVED: DATE OF 16TH DAY: DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: 8/21/89 9/21/89 DATE OF PENDING LIST: 9/05/89 DATE OF 45TH DAY: 10/05/89 REFERENCE NUMBER: 89001546 NOMINATOR: STATE REASONS FOR REVIEW: APPEAL: N DATA PROBLEM: N LANDSCAPE: N OTHER: N PDIL: N PERIOD: N REQUEST: N SAMPLE: N SLR DRAFT: LESS THAN 50 YEARS: PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: NATIONAL: N N COMMENT WAIVER: N ACCEPT RETURN REJECT 9/25/89 DATE ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: ealode includes seweral stained glace iridous by Konia Komfort Fifteng. RECOM.
/CRITERIA Accept AtC REVIEWER S Sauael DATETPLNE Lefusechal Wistory 22889 DOCUMENTATION see attached comments X/N see attached SLR 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 OTHER COMMENTS USGS maps photographs presentation Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Phone Signed Date Form#/o7 750 Main st.
MAZ #107 waltham. MA MKA CW 2 Clr Christ Episcopal Church MHC #107 150 Mauust. walthamnt Mrt Christ Episcopal Church MAC #L07 150 Mam st 750 Mam st waetlam. MA MRA 55. 119.24 6 118.93 7 60.63 87 68 Lx* 120 40 44.07 108 4562!
46 119.05 74.69 100 74.72 789 790 9158 98-2-61 93-102 109.5 10979 84.09 GRANT 8 8062L8 76 95-247 -97.65- 813 9 83 82 30 25 15-17- 30(s) 64.21 164.04 58.73 88.5 128.39 50m 4 43 128.40 2833 13124 441 AN 40 36 6503 22,m 21 69.9 2 65 4008 3 20 6062 17 6599 18 Sn19 KO .65.44 [651T 15-0 3) 45.01 0022(4317 457 .8129 124.16 26 53 53.48 IN in (5721 20 14 12 66: 4 12155 781 8598 :-763 774 10793 10284 764 12:33 168.12 897g 156 11413 9 114 8 94.71 94.74- 2 2-456 29 4=2 20.28 7403 4 202 78 5 20T- 69B e sot 44 Ç'91 220 -750 2I 3 Christ CI Of Walthai 76.86 4 43.15 1.26 5 112 9515) PLAYGROUND Ciry Of Waltham -*+25/s) 94-92 :98-96 152.8 8 L06 91-81 90: 88 56.15 5326 106-04 6 -75- 72 8-0 60.54 2125 307 15 56.5 : 58,45 Hila 5955 52 1236 4 75 30.000 4763 1572 WALTHAM, MA MRA Christ Episcopal Church 750 Main Street 1" = 100' 1975; updated to 1987 Waltham Engineering Dept.
#107 lot #59-21-3 L 60 MAIN T64 USA POST OFFICE 36007 764 A 19 A 764 B 10440 A 18820 14520 CITY OF WALTHAM THOMPSON WILLIAM PLATGROUND 4719 NO.15 G 10400 1300° 14600 5757 113000 { | 16 742-740 24 738 25 5970 6954 STARKTON 834 730 FIRST :ONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 774.120 TEER CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 18330 13 CHARLES TE 0000 68,34 16026 124/9 3342 X39 173 70-68 = 9680 AT 6895 2196 1489 3036 1E031 5639 5*. 69.58 77107 20 160 Z 4186/ 6575 5/90 33 10162 6664 63 10804 10650 -xant --22650- M 1970 Atlas, City of Waltham Compiled by the Waltham Engineering Division Scale: 1 inch = 140 feet Waltham, Massachusetts MRA 750 Main Street Christ Episcopal Church 15-B-20 Please refer to the map in the Multiple Property Cover Sheet for this property Multiple Property Cover Sheet Reference Number: 64000301