BlockThe nomination, in full
Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.
FÖRM B - BUILDING MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION 80 BOYLSTON STREET BOSTON, MA 02116 1548 AUG 2 1 1989 Town AREA WALTHAM, MA MRA Waltham Address 730 Main Street FORM NO. 105 Historic Name First Congregational 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 location in relation to nearest cross streets and/or getgeen inl featud propendy atd aearestidings intersection(s). Indicate north Use: Present church Original same DESCRIPTION Date 1870-71/1925 Source Waltham Public Library Style - Romanesque/Georgian Revival Architect Thomas W. Silloway Exterior Wall Fabric aluminum, wood trim Outbuildings_ none Major Alterations (with dates) Georgian Revival style remodeling--1925 Condition good 1898 Moved no Date n/a 0.99A Acreage 43,200 sq. ft. 60-16-2 Setting.
Main Street commercial center-- faces Waltham Public Library (#106) CONG UTM REFERENCE 19/315580/4693700 USGS QUADRANGLE LEXINGTOM SCALE 1:25,000 Recorded by Rupert Davis/Ed Gordon Organization Waltham Historical Comm. Date June, 1986 revised by C. Jenkins 3/88 NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERIA STATEMENT (if applicable) The First Congregational Church of Waltham possesses integrity of location, design, ma- terials, workmanship, feeling and associations. It is significant as the second religious body formed in the town, known as the Second Religious Society; as such it has a strong relationship to the population explosion in the present town center triggered by the pros- perity of the Boston Manufacturing Company in the early 19th century. The church also pos- sesses architectural significance as a harmonious blend of Romanesque and Georgian Revival elements.
The original design was by noted church architect and ordained (1862) Unitarian clergyman, Thomas W. Silloway of Boston; much remains intact. The church thus meets criteria A and C of the National Register of Historic Places. ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE Describe important architectural features and evaluate in terms of other buildings within the community. The First Congregational Church stands on the south side of Main Street two blocks west of City Hall (Area A). Unlike its commercial neighbors, it is set back from the street and is fronted by a lawn. Its present appearance results from a 1925 Georgian Revival style re- modeling of an 1870 Italianate style structure. The facade of this imposing church building consists of a gable-end nave flanked by a bell tower to the east and a two story wing to the west.
Original elements include the bracketed sanctuary gable and its fascia enframement, the segmental arched entry with paneled door, and the basic configuration of the tower.. Later Georgian Revival style features include the large Palladian window with balcony over Letr panesed doore ad the entry, as well as the alteration of window openings and the addition of classical cor- nices and pilasters to the tower. The tower is surmounted by an octagonal spire, and pre- sumably, the same weathervane that originally belonged to the First Society of Waltham. interior of the sanctuary has also been altered with Georgian Revival style features such as a coffered nave ceiling and paired Ionic columns carrying round-headed arches. - HISTORICAL -SIGNIFICANCE Explain the role owners played in local or state history and how the buflding relates to the development of the community.
The First Congregational Church traces its origins to 1820 when the Second Religious Society was set off from the original First Parish Church (see form #100). The demand for another parish was precipitated by the 1813 establishment of the Boston Manufacturing Company whose success led to major population increases, especially in the vicinity of the present town center. A meetinghouse was constructed on Church Street. Five years later, the controversy between Unitarian and Trinitarian beliefs broke out in New England, leading to a break in the newly formed Society. The first minister Sewell Harding was dismissed and part of the congregation went with him to form the Trinitarian Congregational Church; they built a church at the corner of Main and Heard Streets (opposite Lyman Street H.D.-Area D). This church formed the first Sunday School in Waltham in 1822.
By 1868, the church had outgrown its site and the cornerstone of the present church was laid on July 19, 1870. The wood-frame building was constructed at an estimated cost of $50,000. The original Romanesque Revival style design was by T.W. Silloway of Boston, with Clement & Creay of Lawrence as contractors. In 1899, the interior was remodeled and new windows were installed. In 1906 the schism between the Second Religious Society and the Tritarian Congregational Church was healed. The Society was dssolved and the church was incorporated as the First Congregational Church of Waltham. (cont) BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES Arnold, Earl J. "Down Memory-Lane, A One Mile Walking Tour of Waltham's Landmarks" 1967. Castner, Elizabeth: personal notes (card file) Waltham Public Library. "First Congregational Church, Anniversary Bulletin" 1945. Edmund L. Waltham 1630-1884.
Waltham Historical Society. 1936. Sanderson' rFirst Congregational Church, Waltham, Mass: 1820-1970. 150th Anniversary" 1970. 8/85 INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Office of the Secretary, Boston Commmity : Waltham Form No: 105 Property Name:First Congregational Indicate each item on inventory form which is being continued below. Historical Significance (cont) In 1925, the church, which was undergoing renovation, was damaged by fire. The present harmonious Georgian Revival style elements were added to facade, tower and nave at that time. In 1955, the church became part of the merger of the Congregational and evangel- ical reformed churches to form the United Church of Christ. Charch slar CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, MAIN STREET.
Staple to Inventory form at botton NPS Form 10-900-a (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 AUG 2 | 1989 Multiple Resource Area Thematic Group Name State Waltham MRA Middlesex County, MASSACHUSETTS Nomination/Type of Review 21. Colburn, Gilbert, House datered Nationai Register Keeper Date/Signature Aelm Sagun 9/20/69 Attest 22. Company F State Armory Entered in the National Regiater Aelrnaza 2/25/84 23. Dow, Lenoir, House Entered1n tha Natlored Regiater Attest Reeper DulouSgua 9/28/84 Attest Suk 24. Dunbar--Stearns House Subatantive Revien fKeeper Seto Saurge 31/90 Attest 25. East Main Street Historic District Entered National Register treeper Aulmuby 9/25/59 Attest 26.
Eastern Middlesex County Sectered 1n the District Court National Registen faoper Aulourßyur 7p8/5 Attest Sud 21. First Congregational Church Substantive Revy Keeper Attest Rot Saze 9isde1 sur 28. First Parish Church Mubatant1ve Hut for Keeper Attest Betel Sege 9hel4 29. Fisher, Henry N., House od 1a tho Registar 1Keeper 6 KelmeBzen gbots Attest 30. Fiske, Elijah, House Entered im dustataz TReeper Relmes Bya 9/2465 Attest NPS Form 10-800-a (6-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Section number- Page .
SUPPLEMENTARY LISTING RECORD NRIS Reference Number: 89001548 Date Listed: 09/28/89 First Congregational 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. o Signature/ Beth. Jaurge 9/28/82 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 First Congregational 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: 89001548 NOMINATOR: STATE REASONS FOR REVIEW: APPEAL: N DATA PROBLEM: N LANDSCAPE: N LESS THAN 50 YEARS: N OTHER: N PDIL: N PERIOD: N PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: N REQUEST: N SAMPLE: N SLR DRAFT: Y NATIONAL: N COMMENT WAIVER: N ACCEPT RETURN REJECT 9/28/59 DATE ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: RECOM./CRITFRIA Accepk AXC REVIEWER DISCIPLINE CrCU DATE tertunal Xtistery DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SI WYN 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 photographs OTHER COMMENTS Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Phone presentation Signed Date First Congregational Church 730MAINST MAC #105 WAHANA, MA MRA 4 62 80 dvSZEXCHANGE CT 831 of Inc.
44.1F 41.43 620 .52 3 2 53 62 37-39 .82 LO 62. .C8 33 10 135 14.37 4.91 8983 cat. 7- lub m, 3.85 N* 290(s) -28 25-27 66 N 138 3 78 108(s) 1E4888 4 349217 WEXCHANGE N 295.42 WalthamPublic LibraLy * 111(s) 29 (3) 235 08 741 431:06 41.33 36-38-40- 9 5.16 4867 95./ 15 48.37 32 32. 24 89. 24 28 76 60 75.99 98- 857 2.5 6 23 5) 89,00 60.4 22-24 19-21-23 46 37.25 122 18 122 I00 50 PRIN 37.5 17 122 5216 57.9- 52.68. 55.05 8 15 14 99-437 55 - 55 723-719 717:71 63.2 45 82.75 51 132(d) 65.75 18] 83 53 33-35 - 82.75 D 54.25 12 120 52.25 5/ 40.9 98-456 140.73 105 12 68 42.5 10278 -?; 109 14 8 3.5 175 71 14 7832 35.29 7.23 21-19 30MIDDLE26 221%-20 68(s)) 2 3 05(3) 104(5) 177! 110.75 98 + -77 634s) 53 63(s 52(g) 83 106 MIDDLE 82 18 - 9 12 6B 5 H0.64 69.53 68 -136.09 11 35g 4 12 :13 80 66 74T)- 59.64- 724-720 702 L58(5) 150.52 300 .24 OO 336 TOA.
124.17 102 - 20 110t15 2i38 E9T=6B MAIN - 700-690 120_5L 74.03. PHIVETEt 4796 100,2 59.59 /23) 64.31 65.9 6395/ 15 251 BAFIZI8 36 34649 44 635 0552 daarco. 52(s) 4 120 5851 9.93 261 6466 57.16 25 SI(s) 104 E866-54 58.56 108 91 (PRIVATE) -+22 ts First Congregaticnal 66 262 (s) Church 284 (s) 300.55 -120 8 CUTLER COURT L148.68 290-45 83-302 50 3 5 135 (s) 20-751 3-303 A 11211 382t 56.59 50 38 22 78(s) 478 33 72-6 65 21 8/0 257-55 $28 45 CHARLES WALTHAM, MA MRA First Congregational Church 730 Main Street 1" = 100' 1975; updated to 1987 Waltham Engineering Dept.
1ot #60-16-2 #105 51.33 48(5) ST 57.61 665- :10 73.85 85.9 19 174 MAIN 764 19 USA POST OFFICE 36007 19 764 A 764 B 19A 10440 18820 14520 CITY OF WALTHAM® WILLIAM THOMPSON PLAYGROUND CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 37566 18330 10827 91 "CHARLES T2 35 2970 742-740 24 5970 23 2IA 70-68 DAÃIELS 12 52302 23 G 4719 NO.15 22 10400 14600 5157 15000 13000 70000 9680 Z 6460- Z 1970 Atlas, City of Waltham Compiled by the Waltham Engineering Division Scale: 1 inch = 140 feet 16 124-120 29 PECT FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 16026 6895 1489 3036 A 2196 5639 4095 2419 3342 43 39 ST-1o 6958 17107 418G1 6575 5/90 33 10/62 10804 6664 63 10650 E 22.20 59-5 Á-B - --22650 M Waltham, Massachusetts MRA 730 Main Street First Congregational_Church 15-B-28 MAC #105 Please refer to the map in the Multiple Property Cover Sheet for this property Multiple Property Cover Sheet Reference Number: 64000301