Nomination for Roslindale Baptist Church

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

NPS Form 10-900 (Rev. 10-90) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service OMB No. 1024-0018 RECEIVED 2280 1330 National Register of Historic Places OCT - 5 1998 Registration Form This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts.Asel instructions in How tô Complete the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (National Register Bulletin 16A). Complete each itém by marking "X" in the appropriate box or by entering he information requested. If any item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, architectural lassitication, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions. Place additional entries and narrative items on continuation sheets (NPS Form 10-900a).

Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer, to complete all items. 1. Name of Property historic name other names/site number ROSLINDALE BAPTIST CHURCH 2. Location street & number 52 CUMMINS HIGHWAY city or town BOSTON (ROSLINDALE) state MASSACHUSETTS _ not for publication _code_ MA countySUFFOLK _ vicinity code_025 zip code 02131 3. State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1986, as amended, I hereby certify that this)& nomination - request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property 2 meets - does not meet the National Register Criteria.

I recommend that this property be considered significant - nationally - statewide (Nocally. (- See continuation sheet for additional comments.) Nud medonough Signature of certifying official/Title Judith BMcDonough, Executive Director 9/23/98 Massachusetts Historical Commission, State Historic Preservation Officer State or Federal agency and bureau In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register criteria. (O See continuation sheet for additional Comments.) Signature of certifying official/Title Date State or Federal agency and bureau 4. National Park Service Certification 1, hereby certify that this property is: Mentered in the National Register - See continuation sheet. - determined eligible for the National Register - See continuation sheet. - determined not eligible for the National Register - removed from the National Register - other (explain): lesgin A.

Beall is 1115.98 Roslindale Baptist Church Name of Property 5. Classification Ownership of Property (Check as many boxes as apply) X private _ public-local _ public-State _public-Federal Suffolk Co., Mass. County and State (Check only one box) Number of Resources within Property (Do not include previously listed resources in the count.) Contributing Noncontributing 1 structure _ object Name of related multiple property listing (Enter"N/A" if property is not part of a muttiple property listing.) building _sites _structures _objects Total 1 Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register 6. Function or Use Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions) RELIGION EDUCATION SOCIAL Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions) RELIGION EDUCATION SOCIAL 7.

Description Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) STICK STYLE Materials (Enter categories from instructions) foundationgranite wallsclapboards, wood shingle roof other asphalt shingles Narrative Description (Describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Section number - 7 Page - Roslindale Baptist Church Boston (Roslindale) (Suffolk Co.), Mass. 7. DESCRIPTION The Roslindale Baptist Church is located at 52 Cummins Highway, Roslindale, Massachusetts.

Built in 1884-1889, by builder Alexander Rogers, from designs providec by the Boston architectural firm of Silloway and McKay, the rear Sunday School addition was designed by West Roxbury architect Oscar A. Thayer in 1915. This wooden church is a substantially intact Stick Style ecclesiastical building. It is the finest example of this historic architectural style in Roslindale-West Roxbury. The Roslindale Baptist Church retains integrity of location, design, siting, materials, feeling, association, and workmanship and is of local significance, fulfilling criteria A and C of the National Register of Historic Places. Located at the northwest corner of Cummins Highway and Florence Street, one block east of Roslindale Square, the Roslindale Baptist Church stands on a roughly rectangular lot encompassing 11,530 square feet.

It is a key resource within Roslindale Village's collection of architecturally significant mid-19th to early 20th century buildings by virtue of its soaring steeple as well as its intact form and decorative surface elements. Surrounded on all sides by wooden residences dating from the mid 19th to early 20th century, the church stands on level ground. The Roslindale Baptist Church exhibits the Stick Style's trademark picturesque profiles achieved via steeply pitched roof configurations. In typical Stick Style fashion the wall surfaces are treated as decorative elements rather than merely as structural plane. The church's walls exhibit clapboards overlaid with horizontal and vertical boards. Corner boards provide vertical accents at the edges of the church while horizontal boards serve as belt and string courses. Scallop - shaped wood shingles enliven this building's wall surfaces.

A band of wood shingles separates the first and second floors of the east and west walls, while wood shingles cover wall surfaces above the first floor of the main facade. The pointed arches of the Church's windows and moldings allude to the Stick Style's evolution from the Carpenter Gothic Revival'style popular in America during the 1840s and 1850s. The Roslindale Baptist Church consists of four wooden structural components. The stairhall, bell tower and auditorium components were built during the 1880s and include: 1) the main facade's 3-story, gable roofed stair hall; 2) a square, 80 foot-tall, steeple- topped bell tower at the church's southeast corner; 3) a large 2.5 -story gable roof - enclosed component containing the Sanctuary or Auditorium and other rooms abutting the main stairhall's north wall.

The fourth component is a 2-story Sunday School structure added to the north wall of the original church in 1915. At the time of the Sunday School's construction, the Cummins Highway entrance was remodeled in a manner compatible with the Georgian Revival elements of the addition. The original church and its addition rise from granite block and rubble stone foundations, respectively. The (continued) (PS Fom 10-900-g United States Department of the Interior Nationa! Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet 7 2 OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Section number Page Roslindale Baptist Church Boston (Roslindale) (Suffolk Co.), Mass. structural components of the 1880s church are enclosed by intersecting gable roofs clad with asphalt shingles. The Sunday School Addition culminates in a flat roof encircled by a low parapet.

Main (South) elevation: Stair Hall Component he 3-story, L-shaped stair hall component projects from the south wall of the mair lock. The gables of the stair hall's two perpendicular segments face south and east an are of unequal width. The south facing segment is the wider of the two, exhibiting the main entrance while a large stained glass window spans the upper floors. The Church's main entrance is recessed within a shallow, pedimented Tuscan-columned porch. This porch appears to have been added when the rear, Georgian Revival Sunday School addition was built in 1915. A short flight of concrete steps with low shoulder blocks of the same material lead to multi-panel double doors. Rising from a continuous sill course above the portico's gable roof is a large stained glass window spanning the second and third floors.

This window culminates in a segmental arch and is divided into 12 segments by heavy wooden enframents. Extending from this windows upper enframents to the corner boards of the stair hall component are horizontal boards. In typical Stick Style fashion, the corner boards rest atop wood shingles. Culminating in a steeply- pitched gable with return eaves, single saw cut brackets are in evidence at the sides of this gable. Above this gable's intersection with the auditorium's south gable are two small, square attic windows. To the left of the entrance bay is the recessed south facade of the stair hall's western component. On the first floor, narrow double windows rise to a continuous sill course. Spanning the upper floors is a tall and narrow stained glass window set within a molded arched enframent.

Above the cornice, the south roof slope of the stair hall's west gable intersects with its south gable. A drawing of this building on the cover of a 1912 church history shows ornamental iron cresting accenting the roof ridges of all of the Church's gables. None of this cresting remains. Additionally, this drawing indicates that a stucco-covered border and stick work once accented the apex of the stair hall's south gable. These treatments were no longer in evidence by 1925. The Bell Tower Soaring 80 teet above the south east corner of Cummins Highway and Florence Street the bell tower of the Roslindale Baptist Church is composed of four components: base, mid-section, belfry and steeple. - (continued) NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet 7 3 Section number Page OMB Approval No.

1024-0018 Roslindale Baptist Church Boston (Roslindale) (Suffolk Co.), Mass. The square base of the tower is clad with clapboards. Exhibiting a continuous belt course beneath the windows of the south and east walls, vertical boards accent the base's corners Fully enframed double stained glass windows with a molded cornice. Above the cornice, flared aprons are covered with scalloped wooden shingles. Sheathed with rectangular wooden shingles and accented by simple corner boards, the bell tower's second component culminates in steeply pitched pointed arches, which speak to the Stick Style's roots in the Carpenter Gothic style. This component's south and east walls are pierced by tall and narrow stained glass windows. These windows culminate in a segmental arch and are accented by arched moldings. Enlivening the apex of the windows' arches are sunburst motifs rendered in low relief.

The pointed arches of the second component culminate at a point just above the sills of the belfry's arched openings. According to a 1912 line drawing of the church, the sides and edges of these arches were originally accented by narrow, horizontal boards and small square shingles, respectively. Additionally, this drawing suggests that the gables were pedimented and contained ornamental stickwork while directly below, stucco or spainge: The eiths watoeir asuarte nang o cone sill-level. Visible within the arched openings of the belfry is the church's original bell, installed during the fall of 1912. Rising from a flared base, the steeple gradually narrows, culminating in a metal weather vane. A 1925 photograph of the church shows a weather vane that is different from the one currently rising from the top of the steeple.

The steeple's original slates were replaced by asphalt shingles in 1944. The East Elevation: Auditorium and Sunday School Addition. The east or Florence Street facade is composed of the three-bay walls of the auditorium and Sunday school addition. Reading from south to north, the first floor exhibits fully enframed single and double windows containing diamond-shaped stained glass set within 1/1 and 2/2 wood sash. The windows extend from a continuous belt course to the lower of two string courses. Running between the two string courses are wood shingles. At the northern end of the auditorium's east facade is an entrance exhibiting a modern replacement door surmounted by a multi-pane transom. The entrances consist of simple pilasters and cornice-headed entablature. The entrance enframents evidently date to 1915.

Located at the center of the auditorium's upper wall is a tall double stained glass window. A small diamond-shaped window is nestled between the pointed arches of these (continued) NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86 United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 7 4 Page OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Roslindale Baptist Church Boston (Roslindale) (Suffolk Co.), Mass. windows. This window is sheltered by a low, steeply pitched gable. The double window is flanked by tall and narrow square headed windows set within pointed arch enframents. Above the entrance a multi-pane Palladian window extends from an ornamental panel to an arched molding sheltered by a small, low pitched gable. Flanking the Palladian window are windows containing 6/6 wood sash.

Rising above a simple cornice is a low parapet which encloses the flat roof of the addition. The 1915 Sunday School addition's east wall 1s characterized by Georgian Revival surtaces treatments. Rooted in rational Renaissance and Classical architectural traditions, the elements of the Sunday School wing contrast to those of the original church, its Stick Style treatments and picturesque profiles derived from romantic, Medieval modes. North Elevation: Sunday School Addition. The four bay clapboard-clad north elevation is devoid of formal surface treatments with exception of a string course between the first and second floors and a molded cornice. Reading from east to west on both the first and second floors are single and three double windows. The single window contains 6/6 wood sash while the double windows contain 6/9 wood sash.

West Elevation: Sunday School Addition, Auditorium and Stair Hall Components Reading from north to south, the 2-bay, clapboard- sheathed west facade of the Sunday school addition is completely devoid of formal surtace treatments. A back door is situater lear the northwest corner of this facade. This door is surmounted by a small squar window. To the south of this entrance is a double window. The two standard size windows on the second floor contain 6/9 wood sash. - The west wall of the auditorium echoes that of the east elevation with the exception of tour rather than three bays on the first floor. Reading from north to south, the first floo 'xhibits two single windows followed by double and single windows. These window contain stained glass set within 2/2 wood sash. The first floor is set off from the third floor by a band of wood shingles running between wooden string courses.

The upper walls of the auditorium exhibit a tall double stained glass window flanked by tall narrow stained glass windows. The center window culminates in pointed arches. Nestled between these arches is a diamond-shaped window. Extending through the roof's cornice line, vindoe si ar, thjare headed ahdl seteo by y smiated arcpinbedgable. Teheesa waill of the stair hall component extends a few feet beyond the wall of the auditorium. Pierced by fully enframed double windows, the upper wall surface exhibits a tall segmental arch (continued) MPS Form 10-900-2 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 5 Page OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 RoslindaleBaptist Church Boston (Roslindale) (Suffolk Co.), Mass. stained glass window set within an arched surround.

A raised sunburst motif is in evidence just below the arch of this surround. The west facade of the stair hall culminates in a steeply pitched gable. Roslindale Baptist Church: Interior Plan Described The south (main) facade's center entrance opens on to a rectangular vestibule. This vestibule's stairways provide access to the auditorium on the second floor and the fellowship room on the first floor. Flanking the main entrance, two flights of stairs ascend to the second floor stair hall. A short flight of stairs located on the east side of the vestibule descend to the segment of the first floor hall located within the bell tower. Entrances on the north wall of the first floor room provide access to the first floor's fellowship room. The fellowship room is a large rectangular space located directly below the auditorium.

Near the northwest corner of the fellowship room, a door opens into a kitchen while a door at the northeast corner provides access to the side or Florence Street entry. The kitchen and Florence Street entry represent the northern extent of the 1880s building. Abutting the north wall of the original church structure is the two-story 1915 Sunday school addition. Separating the small, secondary entry of the original church from the addition's first floor entrance hall is an iron, fire proof door. The addition's entrance hall contains a stairway leading to the second floor. A door on the entrance hall's west wall provides access to a rectangular chapel. Contiguous with the west wall of the chapel is a long rectangular room.

The second floor of the Sunday school addition contains a stair hall, pastor's office and two classrooms which originally served as "Ladies Parlors" Turning to the second floor of the 1880s block, it should be noted that 80% of this floor is occupied by the auditorium which is open to the rafters. Running the length of the auditorium's south wall is a stair hall. Two flights of stairs link this stair hall with the gallery. The original church does not have a below- grade basement. The basement of the addition encompasses a stair hall and rest rooms at the north east corner while the furnace room occupies the north west corner. The southern half of the basement contains a large, unfinished rectangular storage area. Interior Features: Main Vestibule, Stair Hall Component.

Representing an intermediary level between the stair halls of the first and second floors, he main vestibule's walls exhibits tongue and groove wainscoting. Stairways flanking the entrance ascend to the second floor hall. At the eastern end of the vestibule a short flight of stairs descend to the segment of the first floor hall located within the bell tower. This PSFom 10-900-4 United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet 7 6 Section number Page Roslindale Baptist Church Boston (Roslindale) (Suffolk Co.), Mass. stairway, like all of the stairways in the 1880s structure, retain turned balusters, molded railings and ball finial-topped newel posts. First Floor Fellowship Room To the north of the first floor stair hall is a large rectangular fellowship room.

Located directly below the auditorium, the fellowship room retains hard wood floors, painted OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 The Kitchen The kitchen at the north west corner of the fellowship room is very intact, retaining pairs of handsome wooden cabinets on its east and west walls. The walls of this room also exhibit tongue and groove wainscoting. The Florence Street Entry The Florence Street entry's historic fabric includes tongue and groove wainscoting. Still intact are the balusters and railing of a short flight of stairs that descend to the fellowship room. The Second Floor Hall This space is illuminated by stained glass windows located at the east, west and center of he south facade. Original tongue and groove wainscoting is still intact in the first floo all. Three pairs of double doors open on to the auditorium, retaining late 19th centur hinges and door knobs.

In general, the Roslindale Baptist Church retains a high percentage of its original hardware. The stair halls on the south side of the building possess a fine but endangered collection of nine colorful stained glass windows. These windows are of the painted rather than opalescent variety. The first floor windows contain diamond shaped panes of a gold coloration. The tall windows of the upper floors exhibit geometric designs rather than compromising the aesthetic qualities of the church, broken windows have caused heat loss and water damage and have resulted in an underutilization of the auditorium. Currently, worship services are held in the fellowship room. (continued) - (ePS Form 10-900-a United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet 7 Section number Page OMB Approval No.

1024-0018 Roslindale Baptist Church Boston (Roslindale) (Suffolk Co.), Mass. The Auditorium The auditorium contains pews ranged in a semicircular configuration facing an alter which is situated on a low wooden platform set within a broad proscenium arch. The platform exhibits rectangular panels with molded edges. The walls of the auditorium are plaster with walnut tongue and groove wainscoting. Exhibiting handsome carved curvilinear profiles, the pews appear to be original to the late 19th century. Situated in the northeast corner of the auditorium is the original Cole & Woodbury pipe organ which shares a low platform with the choir. This area is enclosed by a solid paneled railing. The six stained glass windows of the auditorium, like those located elsewhere in the building, are in need of cleaning and repair.

The auditorium's east and west walls exhibit tall double windows flanked by single windows of nearly identical height. The center windows exhibit memorial inscriptions set within Colonial Revival scroll and urn enframents in the lower sash. The upper sash exhibit circular medallions depicting images such as sheaves of wheat and 'astle-like structures. The multi-pane opaque glass of the flanking windows effectivel ontrast with the colorful glass of the peripheral glass borders and upper sash' medallions. The stained glass windows of the auditorium's west wall echo the configuration and coloration of the east wall's windows. The auditorium's ceiling is in the form of a ribbed barrel vault.

The lighting fixtures suspended from the ceiling appear to date to the mid-20th century and represent - replacement features that complement rather than detract from the predominant late-19th century treatments. These fixtures are in the form of octagonal lanterns consisting of milk glass panels encased in a bronze framework exhibiting arched and oval shapes. The Gallery The gallery above the auditorium's south side retains its solid, serpentine railing, exhibiting recessed rectangular outer panels and moldings. Additionally, the gallery etains turned stairway elements and hardwood floor. Most of the gallery's pews are no longer in place. The ceiling above the south east corner of the gallery exhibits stains caused by water damage.

- (continued) (PS Fom 10-900-= United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet 7 8 Section number - Page OMB Approvel No. 1021-0018 Roslindale Baptist Church Boston (Roslindale) (Suffolk Co.), Mass. The Sunday School Addition. The rooms of the 1915 Sunday School exhibit little in the way of noteworthy vintage eatures. Modern paneling and suspended ceilings are in evidence through out. The stai all of the addition, however, retains newel posts, slat-work balusters and railings tha reflect the influence of the Craftsman and Mission styles popular during the World War II (end) Roslindale Baptist Church Name of Property 8. Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

Applicable National Register Criteria (Mark "x" in one or more boxes for the criteria qualifying the property for National Register listing.) X A Property is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history. Suffolk, Mass. County and State Areas of Significance (Enter categories from instructions) ARCHITECTURE EDUCATION RELIGION SOCIAL HISTORY _B Property is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past. XC Property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack individual distinction. Period of Significance 1884-1948 _D Property has yielded, or is likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.

Criteria Considerations (Mark "x" in all the boxes that apply.) Property is: Significant Dates 1884-1889 1915 XA owned by religious institution or used for religious purposes. Significant Person (Complete if Criterion B is marked above) _ B removed from its original location. _C a birthplace or grave. Cultural Affiliation _ D a cemetery. _E a reconstructed building, object, or structure. _F a commemorative property. _G less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past 50 years. Architect/Builder Thomas Silloway, Henry McKay Oscar A. Thayer Narrative Statement of Significance (Explain the significance of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) 9.

The rest of the file

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

Major Bibliographical References (Cite the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form on one or more continuation sheets.) Previous documentation on file (NPS): Primary location of additional data: _ preliminary determination of individual listing (36 State Historic Preservation Offic CFR 67) has been requested Other State agenc - previously listed in the National Register _ previously determined eligible by the National Register _ designated a National Historic Landmark _ recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey _ recorded by Historic American Engineering Record # NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 8 1 Section number Page Roslindale Baptist Church Boston (Roslindale) (Suffolk Co.), Mass. 8.

Statement Of Significance The Roslindale Baptist Church is significant as Roslindale's oldest Baptist church structure. This wooden ecclesiastical building is an intact, well-rendered example of the Stick Style with an early 20th century Georgian Revival addition. Organized in 1875, the Roslindale Baptist Church was built in 1884-1889 by the Boston Architectural firm of Silloway and Mc Kay. Additionally, the Roslindale Baptist Church provides physical evidence of the late 19th century maturation of Roslindale Village, a community that began to develop as early as 1805. The Roslindale Baptist Church retains integrity of location, design, siting, materials, feeling, association, and workmanship and is ef local significance, fulfilling criteria A and C of the National Register of Historic Places.

The Roslindale Baptist Church is located at 52 Cummins Highway, one block south of Koslindale Square. The community has never existed as an independent town, and its boundaries have been difficult to define. Roslindale is roughly bounded by Forest Hills Cemetery and the Arnold Arboretum to the north, Mount Hope and Calvary Cemeteries to the east, the Stony Brook Reservation to the south and the north slope of Bellevue Hill to the west. Roslindale, as part of West Roxbury, was annexed to the City of Boston on May 29, 1873. Built between 1885 and 1889, the Roslindale Baptist Church represents a late, architecturally significant addition to the formerly rural village that evolved around the crossroads at Washington and South Streets, later Roslindale Square.

The beginnings of the Roslindale Baptist Church may be traced to two sources: the Sabbath School of the South Evangelical Church of West Roxbury and the Jamaica Plain Baptist Society. The establishment of the Sabbath School on May 27,1855 led to the formation of several churches in Roslindale, including Roslindale Baptist Church. The Sabbath School was located in the Primary School House No.5 on Poplar Street. During the fall of 1859, preaching services were added to those of the Sabbath School, and three years later, "The Roslindale Evangelical Union Society" was formed on August 4,1862. The members of this society tried to organize a Church of Christ or Union Church. For reasons that are unclear, this society was unsuccessful in its efforts to establish a church in Roslindale.

Although these organizational efforts did not reach fruition, there remained individuals in the community seeking to fulfill their spiritual needs. In the spring of 1873, John Weld and Rev. H. F. H. Miller, at the behest of Baptist families in Roslindale village, sought advice from members of the Jamaica Plain Baptist Church. The Jamaica Plain church generously offered to defray the expenses of the fledgling Roslindale Baptist Society for the first month. with several members pledging further financial assistance. The first Baptist preaching in Roslindale occurred in the upper class-room of the Florence Street School on June 1, 1873. The first preacher was Dr. Samuel F. Smith, author of the song "America". (continued) NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Approval No.

1024-0018 8 Section number 2 Page Roslindale Baptist Church Boston (Roslindale) (Suffolk Co.), Mass. A Sabbath School was formed on July 6,1873, with eleven members present. In the fall of 1873, West Roxbury, having been annexed to Boston, the city authorities refused to permit the further use of the school building for religious purposes. Worship services were conducted in "the small white house of Amasa Wood" which stood on the corner lot directly opposite the main facade of the present church. On March 13,1875, a meeting was held at Wood's home for the purpose of forming a church. On March 31,1875, representatives from seven neighboring Baptist Churches attended a council "to consider the advisability of recognizing the infant church" and voted to recognize Roslindale Baptist Church.

From 1874 until 1880, the worship services of the Roslindale Baptist society were conducted in Association Hall (no longer extant), a meeting room on the second floor of "a large building" that had been moved from West Roxbury to Roslindale in 1866. Association Hall's interior was described as "a low studded room reached by two flights of stairs, heated by a stove and lighted by kerosene. The floor was so uneven that all the legs of a settee could not reach it at the same time and so slippery with dancing wax that one needed to pay careful heed to his steps. The windows and blinds rattled with every passing breeze, and ventilation was an unknown quantity." In May, 1877, George W. Thomas, a Newton Seminary student, was engaged to succeed Dr. Smith. Under Thomas' inspiring leadership the congregation expanded and financial aid was secured from the Massachusetts Baptist Convention.

On May 12,1879, the church was incorporated under the Statutes of Massachusetts with the following officers: Treasurer, Mr. James Charlton; Clerk, Mr. John Weld, Executive Committee, Mr. B. F. Pike, Mr. A. F. Sherman, and Mr. John M. Shaw. Following the untimely death of pastor Thomas in April, 1881 there followed a three - year period without permanent pastoral leadership for the congregation. The commencement of the five-year pastorate of John Monroe Wyman in April, 1884 heralded a new era of stability and expansion for the church. In March, 1885, the Roslindale Baptists purchased the 6,344 square foot lot at the corner of Ashland Street (Cummins Highway) and Florence Street for $1,000.00 from Mrs. Susan L. Barton. The church was built on the large side yard located to the south of the Barton house. Cummins Highway was originally called Ashland Avenue and later Ashland Street.

Running from 726 South Street at Poplar Street to Florence Street, Ashland Street was set out between 1843 and 1848. Comprised of prosperous local tradesmen, artisans and a farmer, the building committee of the Roslindale Baptist Church hired the Boston architectural firm of Silloway and Mc Kay to provide a design. Contractor Alexander Rogers built the church. (continued) - (3Fom 10-900-a United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 8 3 Section number Page Roslindale Baptist Church Boston (Roslindale) (Suffolk Co.), Mass. The architectural partnership of Thomas W. Silloway and Henry L. McKay, was based at Green Street, Cambridge. By 1886, their office is listed at 54 Devonshire Street, Boston.

Little is known of their work with the exception of a Middlesex County building erected at an unspecified date in East Cambridge between the Women's Prison and Hospital. While still in partnership with McKay, Silloway participated in reconstruction work ir Charleston, South Carolina following the earthquake of 1886. The Roslindale Baptist Church was completed in 1889 shortly after the demise of the partnership. Thomas W. Silloway (1828- 1910) was an important and prolific architect of New England ecclesiastical and public buildings during the second half of the 19th ceatury. Silloway is credited with the design of an estimated four hundred churches during his long and distinguished career. A native of Newburyport, Massachusetts, Mr. Silloway moved to Boston in 1851, studied for the ministry, and was ordained a Unitarian clergyman in 1862.

The year before his ordination he designed the Cambridge Street Universalist Church in Allston-Brighton, and also served as minister of this church. Silloway's ornate Queen Anne house is still standing at 40 Gordon Street in Allston Heights. Even before his ordination, Silloway pursued an architectural career that would supersede his ministry by 1867. As early as 1854, Silloway designed the Town Hall of Milford, MA. During the mid-1850s, he remodeled the Revere Meeting House and Cambridge Universalist Church, now located at 8 Inman Street. Additionally, the Church of the Unity, 91 West Newton Street, Boston's South End, is credited to Silloway. Further afield he provided designs for buildings at Goddard Seminary at Barre Vermont (1860s and 1870s) and in 1872 was hired to design buildings at Buchtel College in Akron, Ohio.

He reportedly was involved in the design of the Vermont State House at Montpelier Vermont. During the 1870s, Silloway was engaged in a number of church projects including The Pilgrim Church at 35 Magazine Street, Cambridge (1870-1872, with J. H. Sparrow, architect), the remodeling of Roxbury's Ruggles Street Baptist Church and the vestry addition to the Prospect Congregational Church at 99 Prospect Street, Cambridge in 1879-1880. After the Silloway and McKay firm disbanded c.1887, Silloway set up his own office at Park Square, Boston. Late examples of his work included the church and parsonage for the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church (1898-1900) at 85 West Newton Street, Boston and the Jenkins Memorial Library, North Conway, New Hampshire(1900-1901). Silloway died at Allston Heights in March, 1910 Henry L. Mc Kay's career is considerably less well documented than that of Thomas W.

Silloway. Evidently active during the 1880s and 1890s, McKays church projects included the Charles River Baptist Church in Cambridge; First Baptist Church, Malden, MA; (continued) - NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Section number 8 Page 4 Roslindale Baptist Church Boston (Roslindale) (Suffolk Co.), Mass. Dearborn Street Church, Roxbury; and the Prospect Hill Congregational Church in Somerville (construction dates unspecified). McKay's residential work included a house for H. Holloran, Ward Street, Roxbury (c.1888), and a seven-story apartment hotel building at 186-188 Commonwealth Avenue (1891).

That Silloway and McKay's chose a Stick Style design for the Roslindale Baptist Church may lie with Silloway's predilection for picturesque styles that were au courant at the start of his career during the 1850s; he may have deemed the Stick Style sufficiently picturesque so as to compliment the Roslindale Baptist Church's still rural surroundings. Popular between the mid-1860s to c. 1880, the Stick Style would have been viewed by critics as a retardataire architectural mode by the time of the church's completion in 1889. The Stick Style is associated with the vernacular architecture of American suburbs and countryside rather than the academic church design of urban centers which relied on masonry materials and variants of Renaissance Revival and especially the English Gothic Revival style.

In part, the importance of the Roslindale Baptist Church lies in the fact that so few ecclesiastical buildings designed in this style were built and/or survive within Boston and vicinity. One of the rare surviving Boston Stick Style church buildings is St. John's Episcopal Parish House on Devens Street, Charlestown. Designed as a chapel by Ware and Van Brunt during the early 1870s it was hoisted on top of a brick first floor during the early 1900s. Marcus Whiffen in American Architecture Since 1780, A Guide to the Styles explains that "Stick Style buildings have tall proportions with high, steep roofs, frequency of complex plan and irregular silhouette...Diagonal 'stickwork' is one of the most characteristic features of the style.

Walls may be faced with vertical boards and battens or (in the final development of the style) with horizontal clapboards having an overlay of other boards - vertical and horizontal, and sometimes diagonal." Initially discussed and illustrated in the works of landscape architect and critic Andrew Jackson Downing during the 1840s at the Cottage Style and Swiss Cottage Style, the full-blown Stick Style emerged during the mid 1860s in the designs of Gervase Wheeler and Richard Morris Hunt. According to Lester Walker in American Shelter, "Downing's insistence on 'truthfulness' in wooden buildings had caused many architects and builders to begin to expose important balloon frame members on the facade of their structures." British architect Gervase Wheeler's illustrations of Stick Style residences appear in Downing's Rural Homes series published in eight editions between 1851 and 1869.

Together with Downing's essays, Wheeler's drawings had a considerable influence on the work of American architects and builders. Richard Morris Hunt, a contemporary of Wheeler, designed Griswold House, in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1862. An early, high- (continued) NPS Form 10-900-a 8-86) OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet 8 5 Section number Page Roslindale Baptist Church Boston (Roslindale) (Suffolk Co.), Mass. profile example of the Stick Style, Hunt brilliantly illustrated his architectural mode's potential for picturesque effects via his incorporation of Medival Half-Timbered, Early Gothic Revival, Carpenter Gothic and Swiss Cottage Styles into a single design.

All things considered, the historical significance of the Roslindale Baptist Church is inextricably bound to the fact that it is a relatively "pure" example of the Stick Style created at a time when the popularity of the style was well into its decline. Returning to the history of the church, the cornerstone was laid November 28, 1884. The exterior of the building was completed and the vestry made ready for occupancy June 1, 1885, at a cost of $8,400 (evidently the vestry is the first floor fellowship room currently used for worship services). On June 14, 1888, the Church voted to authorize the completion of the Silloway and McKay-designed auditorium. Hersee Brothers were awarded the contract for carpenter work. The organ was built by Cole and Woodbury at a cost of $1000. Dedicated on June 17, 1889, the total cost of the Roslindale Baptist Church's building and land was $17,000.

The Massachusetts Baptist Convention contributed $2,166 toward the construction, Jamaica Plain industrialist Benjamin F. Sturtevant, inventor of the Sturtevant blower, gave $1700 towards the Baptists' building campaign. In the fall of 1890, a bell was placed in the belfry. The five hundred dollar cost of the bell was funded by Samuel F. Dearborn in memory of Deacon John F. Weld. The early years of the church coincided with a period of unprecedented expansion of transportation networks in Roslindale and West Roxbury with the expansion of streetcar lines (1896) and the completion of the extension of the elevated railroad from Roxbury's Dudley Station to Forest Hills. Two weeks after the Roslindale Baptist Church's completion, J. M.Wyman, resigned as pastor of the church on July 7,1889, accepting a ministry in Augusta, Maine. Reverend Wyman was succeeded by Rev.

Erwin Dennett of Franklin, MA. Between 1895 and 1905 additional land at the northwest corner of the lot was purchased resulting an increase in size from 6,344 to 11,530 sq. ft. During the first quarter of the 20th century, the Roslindale Baptist Church reached out to the Roslindale community, expanding upon its role as a provider of spiritual, social and educational services to the community. On January 20, 1902, forty-two men met in the vestry to form the "Men's League". Evidently the older members acted as mentors to young men who were "training to take an active part in the civic and religious affairs of the community". By 1912, the Men's League had grown to a membership of 178. (continued) HPSFom 10-900-= United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Approval No.

1024-0018 Section number - 8 Page 6 Roslindale Baptist Church Boston (Roslindale) (Suffolk Co.), Mass. On October 31, 1910, Rev. Floyd L. Carr began his extraordinarily productive seven - ear pastorate. In 191 e,00 vaas placed on the Chugage roperty. UOnder Carrs leadalshap a ne pamsbigaer joined the church. In 1912, the total number of parishioners was 467 and 410 children attended the Sabbath School. The growth of the congregation necessitated the construction of an addition to the back of Hall in honor of one of the Church's principal founders, John Weld. The Ladies's Parlors (also used as two class rooms) were located on the floor above.

The new addition enabled the church to host community youth groups such as the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Camp Fire Girls and Pathfinders as well as religious organizations encompassing the Men's Union, the Women's Society, the Christian Endeavor Society and Hearthstone Class for young married couples. The Roslindale Baptist Church's Sunday School addition represents the work of West Roxbury architect Oscar A. Thayer. Little information exists regarding Thayer's architectural career which spanned the first half of the 20th century. Despite the his work. The Boston Public Library architect's files only listing for Oscar A. Thayer's work 1s a two-tamily wooden dwelling on Upton Street near Grant Street, Allston that he designed for Martin G. and Martha Johnson in 1898.

By 1925, the church had a membership of 492 and a Sunday School enrollment of 464, including a primary (or nursery) department of 76. In April, 1929, the way was paved for women to take a leadership role within the church. At that time it was proposed that Deaconess's have the same powers and duties as Deacons. By January, 1932, the church membership numbered 567. During the Great Depression the budgets of the church's social programs were drastically cut, never to recover to pre-Depression levels of funding and participation. Between 1920 and 1945 the church facility was subject to various additions, alterations and improvements. During the early 1920s, a new lighting system was installed in the auditorium, and changes made in the pulpit and reading desk.

The old settees in the vestry were replaced by new chairs, and a new piano was placed in the auditorium, gifts of the Women's Society. A piano was purchased for Weld Hall, and the room was attractively furnished with curtains, pictures and a clock. In 1926, the organ was electrified at a cost of $338.00. (continued) (PSF 10-900- United States Department of the Interior - Nationai Park Service Naticnal Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 8 Page 7 Roslindale Baptist Church Boston (Roslindale) (Suffolk Co.), Mass. During the early 1930s, "the choir was rebuilt, and the Pulpit desk and platform made more attractive." In 1941 the Sanctuary, hall and vestibule were redecorated although the details of this redecoration are not elaborated upon in church histories.

Originally covered with slate shingles, the church's roof and spire were covered with asphalt shingles in 1937 and 1944, respectively. After World War II the Church continued its out -reach to the youth of the community. In 1949 Maurice McFarlane, a student at Andover-Newton Seminary, conducted successful fellowship programs for the youth of the community. In 1950, the Church celebrated its 75th anniversary with a membership of 550 and a Church School with 133 students. For many years the Church depended on volunteers from the congregation and youth workers hired by the Board of Christian Education to redecorate the building. During the early tall of 1949, the Vestry was completely redecorated and a new lighting system installed in the basement. These improvements were made possible by the volunteer efforts of the men of the congregation.

In 1953, the congregation embarked on an ambitious fund raising campaign called "Program of Progress" . This program raised $15,000.00 that was utilized to "completely redecorate the church inside and out." The exterior of the building was painted for the sum of $1,190.00. The upper hall at the Pastor's study and stairway and lower hall was refinished. A partition of double thickness was installed at a cost of $415.00 in Weld Hall, to create a primary and nursery room. The stained glass in the sanctuary was repaired at a cost of $400.00. During the mid-1950s, the Sanctuary was painted pastel green. New red carpeting was installed over the Sanctuary floor and new pulpit furniture and draperies were purchased to enliven this space.

Despite these renovations to the Sanctuary's interior, the basic form of this space has remained unchanged and a high percentage of original woodwork, furniture and stained glass is still in evidence._ During the late 1950s, a Boy Scout Troop was reorganized under the leadership of Rev. Arthur L. Hanson. Additionally, Rev. Hanson organized a program of activities for primary school children called "Fun for All." By the early 1960s, the membership of the church was in decline, a trend that has only recently begun to reverse itself. The Roslindale Baptist Church's congregation became largely a church of senior citizens without the financial means to continue the various spiritual and social outreach programs for which the church had become widely known. This reversal of fortune occurred, in part, because of Reverend Hanson's untimely death in 1960 at the age of 44.

Reportedly, a number of parishioners lost faith in the church's ability to carry on without their beloved leader. The loss of membership resulted in a frustrating lack of finances. Robert E. Heskett, began his six-year ministry in October, 1963. Rev. Heskett worked tirelessly to "try and improve the growing apathy" and bleak financial situation. Despite having to (continued) OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86 United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet 8 8 Section number Page OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Roslindale Baptist Church Boston (Roslindale) (Suffolk Co.), Mass. work as a part-time teacher in the Boston Public School system, Rev.

Heskett tended to the spiritual needs of the congregation with the help of youth workers from public and Heskett resigned in September, 1969, to assume pastoral duties in New Bedford. By the time of the Roslindale Baptist Church's 100th Anniversary in 1975, the membership numbered 112, with two thirds of this group over the age of 75. Under the leadership of Reverend Robert Stetson the Roslindale Baptist Church continues to meet the spiritual needs of an aging congregation and financial challenges faced by an urban American ministry at the turn-of-the-millennium. (end) NPSFom 10900-s United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 9 Page 1 OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Roslindale Baptist Church Boston (Roslindale) (Suffolk Co.), Mass. 9.

MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Secondary Sources Boston Landmarks Commission, Survey and Planning Grant, Part II, Roslindale and West Roxbury Project Completion Report, 1988. Boston Landmarks Commission, Survey and Planning Grant, Part II, Jamaica Plain Completion Report, 1983. Boston Street Laying-Out Department, Record of Streets, 1910. Boston 200 Committee, Roslindale, Boston 200 Neighborhood History Series, 1975. Cambridge Historical Commission, Survey of Architectural History in Cambridge, Mid Cambridge, vol.2, 1967, (p.36 references to Silloway-designed Universalist Church) Cambridge Historical Commission, Survey of Architectural History in Cambridge. Cambridgeport, vol.3, 1971 (p.79 and 85, references to Silloway-designed Universalist and Pilgrim Congregational Churches). Harris, Cyril, Historic Architecture Source Book, 1977 Marchione, William P.

Marchione, The Bull in the Garden, A History of Allston- Brighton, 1986, (p.71, mention of Thomas W.Silloway). : Pike, James, ed. History of the Churches of Boston, Baptist and Predbyterian, 1883 Sammarco, Anthony Mitchell, Roslindale, Massachusetts, Images of America Series, 1997. Shand-Tucci, Douglass, Church Building in Boston, 1720-1970,1974 Whiffen, Marcus, American Architecture Since 1780, A Guide to the Styles,1969 Withey, Henry L., Dictionary of American Architects, Deceased, 1970 (continued) : - - (PSFom 10-900- United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet 9 Section number Page 2 OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Roslindale Baptist Church Boston (Roslindale) (Suffolk Co.), Mass.

Miscellaneous Boston Public Library, Fine Arts Department Card File, Index card information o1 illoway and McKay, architects Maddox, Dorothy Frazee "A Brief History of the Roslindale Baptist Church, compiled for the Diamond Jubilee, March 12-19,1950". (pamphlet on file in church office ) Murray, Ruth Higgins, A Brief History of the Roslindale Baptist Church, Compiled For The Centennial Celebration", March 12,1975.(pamphlet on file in church office ) Whittemore, Fannie Fowler, "Eventful Days, A Short History of the Roslindale Baptist Church, including a sketch of the Early Church History of Roslindale",1910 (pamphlet on file in church office). Whittemore, Fannie Fowler, "Eventful Days Continued For The Golden Jubilee Celebration, The Roslindale Baptist Church" ', March 13-22,1925 (pamphlet in church archives).

Atlases, Deeds, Directories Boston Directories: 1874-1875, 1884-1885 Suffolk County Atlases: 1875, 1885, 1890, 1896, 1905 : Norfolk Deed: Volume 395, page 271 (6/24/1870); Suffolk County Deeds: Volumes 1592, page 69 (3/31/1883); 1605, page 392 (7/21/1883). - (end) : - Roslindale Baptist Church Name of Property -- Suffolk Co. County, State Mass. 10. Geographical Data Acreage of Property. less than one acre UTM References See continuation sheet. (Place additional UTM references on a continuation sheet) 1.19 324550 4683440 Zone Easting Northing Zone Easting Northing 2. Zone Easting "Zone Easting _ See continuation sheet Northing Northing Verbal Boundary Description (Describe the boundaries of the property on a continuation sheet.) Boundary Justification (Explain why the boundaries were selected on a continuation sheet.) 11.

Form Prepared By name/title_Edward Gordon, Preservation Consultant, with Betsy Friedberg, NR Director, MHC organization_Massachusetts Historical Commission date September 1998 street & number_220 Morrissey Boulevard city or town Boston telephone. 617-727-8430 state MA _ zip code_02125 Additional Documentation Submit the following items with the completed form: Continuation Sheets 4 USGS map (7.5 or 15 minute series) indicating the property's location A sketch map for historic districts and properties having large acreage or numerous resources Photographs Representative black and white photographs of the property.

Additional items (Check with the SHPO or FPO for any additional items) Property Owner (Completethis item atthe requestof the SHPOor FPO.) name_Roslindale Baptist Church street & number 52 Cummins Highway telephone 617-327-5262 city or town Roslindale state_MA zip code_ 02131 Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: This information is being collected for applications to the National Register of Historic Places to nominate properties for listing or determine eligibility for listing, to list properties, and to amend existing listings. Response to this request is required to obtain a benefit in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.).

Estimated Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average 18.1 hours per response including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and completing and reviewing the form. Direct comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspect of this form to the Chief, Administrative Services Division, National Park Service, P.O. Box 37127, Washington, DC 20013-7127; and the Office of (PS Form 10-900-2 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 10 Page 1 OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Roslindale Baptist Church Boston (Roslindale) (Suffolk Co.), Mass. 10.

GEOGRAPHICAL DATA Verbal Boundary Description The boundaries of the Roslindale Baptist Church run west from Florence Street continuing along Cummins Highway to the boundary line shared with the house at 48 the church's boundary continues in an irregular Cinenas tas as ghe ol. Barting nurshat 10, Ioreche Strset. Coary contnassvard torloulace Street, this boundary turns south to the point of commencement at the north west corner of Florence Street and Cummins Highway. Verbal Boundary Justification The boundaries as nominated are the current and historic boundaries of the Roslindale Baptist Church, since its construction in 1884-1889. (end) NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number photos Page OMB Approval No.

1024-0018 Roslindale Baptist Church Boston (Roslindale) (Suffolk Co.), Mass. PHOTOGRAPHS Photographer: Edward Gordon, 1998 Negatives in possession of photographer. 1. Corner of Cummins Highway and Florence Street, camera facing N 2.

South facade, camera facing NW Interior of auditorium, facing NE (end) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET REQUESTED ACTION: NOMINATION PROPERTY NAME: Roslindale Baptist Church MULTIPLE NAME: STATE & COUNTY: MASSACHUSETTS, Suffolk DATE RECEIVED: DATE OF 16TH DAY: DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: 10/05/98 11/05/98 DATE OF PENDING LIST: 10/20/98 DATE OF 45TH DAY: 11/19/98 REFERENCE NUMBER: 98001330 NOMINATOR: STATE REASONS FOR REVIEW: APPEAL: N - DATA PROBLEM: N LANDSCAPE: N LESS THAN 50 YEARS: OTHER : N PDIL: PERIOD: PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: REQUEST: N SAMPLE : N SLR DRAFT: N NATIONAL: N N N COMMENT WAIVER: N VACCEPT RETURN ABSTRACT/ SUMMARY COMMENTS: REJECT 11-5-98 DATE RECOM./CRITERIA REVIEWER TELEPHONE DISCIPLINE DATE DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y/N ROSLINDALE BAPTIST CHURCH BOSTON (SUFFOLIE CO) MA ED GONDON photo 1998 vièw looking N PioTo 1 ROSLINDALE BAPTISP CHUREIA BOSTON (SUFFOLK LO) MASS ED GORDON PhOtO 1998 View looking Nw PHOTO Z ne Lord.One FaithOneBaplism ROSLINDALE BAPTIST CITURCIA BOSTON (SUFFOLE CO) MA ED GORDON 1998 photo INTERIOR OF AUDITORIUM Photo 3 RECEIVED 2280 OCT 5 1909 he Commonwealth of Massachusetts WAI RATISTER OF HISTORIC PLACI ATIONAL PARK SERVIC William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth September 29, 1998 Massachusetts Historical Commission Ms.

Carol Shull National Register of Historic Places Department of the Interior National Park Service Mail Stop 2280, Suite 400 1849 C Street, N.W Washington, DC 20240 Dear Ms. Shull: Enclosed please find the following nomination for: Roslindale Baptist Church, 52 Cummins Highway, Boston (Roslindale), (Suffolk Co.), Massachusetts The nomination has been voted eligible by the State Review Board and has been signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer. The owners of property in the Certified Local Government community of Boston were notified of pending State Review Board consideration 60-120 days before the meeting Sincerely, Betry Frudher Betsy Friedberg, National Register Director Massachusetts Historical Commission cc: Matthew Kiefer, Acting Chair, Boston Landmarks Commission Edward Gordon, Preservation Consultant Ion. Thomas M.

Menino, Mayor, City of Bostor Maura Fitzpatrick Sklarz, Boston Landmarks Commissior Rev. Robert Stetson, Roslindale Baptist Church 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, Massachusetts 02125 - (617) 727-8470 Fax: (617) 727-5128 TDD: 1-800-392-6090 Website: www.magnet.state.ma.us/sec/mhc