Nomination for Cathedral of St. George Historic District

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Rev. 10-90) RECEIVED 2280 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service OCT F 8 1998 National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NAT. REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES NATIONAL PARK SERVICE This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts. See instructions in How to Complete the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (National Register Bulletin 16A). Complete each item by marking "x" in the appropriate box or by entering the information requested.If any item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, architectural classification, 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 Hawes Unitarian Church other names/site number Cathedral of St. George Historic District (preferred) 2. Location street& number_ 517-523-525 East Broadway city or town BOSTON (South Boston) _not for publication _ vicinity state MASSACHUSETTS _code MA county_SUFFOLK _code 025 zip code 02127 State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1986, as amended, I hereby certify that this - 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 & locally. (O See continuation sheet for additional comments.) ud Misonoual 10198 Signature of certifying official/Title Judith B. McDonough, Executive Director 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. (] 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: D entered 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 D other (explain): Signature of the Keeper Date of Action Cathedral of St. George Historic District Name of Property 5. Classification Ownership of Property (Check as many boxes as apply) X private -public-local _ public-State _ public-Federal Suffolk County, MA County and State (Check only one box) X building(s) x district _ Site _ structure _object Number of Resources within Property (Do not include previously listed resources in the count.) Contributing Noncontributing 3 buildings _sites _structures _ objects Total Name of related multiple property listing (Enter "N/A" if property is not part of a multiple property listing.) N/A 3 Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register Cathedral of St. George Historic District Name of Property 6.

Function or Use Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions) RELIGION/religious facility RESIDENCES Suffolk County, MA County and State Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions) RELIGION/religious facility RELIGION/church-related residence RESIDENCES 7. Description Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) LATE VICTORIAN/High Victorian Gothic Materials (Enter categories from instructions) foundation_STONE/granite walls_BRICK STONE/sandstone roof STONE/slate other_METAL/cast iron (fence) Narrative Description (Describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) See attached. United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 7 Page 1 Cathedral of St. George Historic District Boston (Suffolk County), Massachusetts 7.

DESCRIPTION The three structures in the Cathedral of St. George Historic District consist of two free-standing houses flanking a church. All three are of brick construction and occupy narrow lots which extend south to the rear property lines of the buildings fronting East Fourth Street. The church is set back on the lot and includes a small green yard with walkways leading to the entrances. The north property line along the sidewalk is established by granite curbs and posts and a cast iron fence that was designed by the original architect of the church. The two houses extend up to the sidewalk, as do all of the other houses on the street. In the rear of the houses are yards with grass. South Boston is a densely settled neighborhood of the City located on a peninsula that extends out into Boston Harbor.

Most of the streets are laid out in grid patterns around the principal thoroughfares of East and West Broadway and Dorchester Street. The latter runs south to north and forms the division between the two sections of Broadway. East Broadway, where the Cathedral of St. George is located, rises up a hill from Dorchester Street on what was historically part of Dorchester Heights. The road then quickly descends one block past the church. Situated in the center of this block of East Broadway formed by G and H streets, the district occupies a commanding location on one of the highest elevations in South Boston. The buildings in this block of East Broadway are predominately nineteenth century residential structures, consisting of two and three story dwellings on narrow lots. These buildings are a mixture of wood and brick construction.

On the same side of the road to the east of the historic district is a row of one story commercial shops and an early twentieth century municipal building. The parallel streets to the north and south of the district are almost exclusively residential with houses dating mostly from the nineteenth century. Cathedral of St. George The Cathedral of St. George is constructed of brick with sandstone trim. Pressed brick was used for the north facade facing the street, while the rear of the structure is built of common brick. The foundation is ashlar granite and the roofs are slate. The main body of the church is encompassed within a rectangular block with a picturesque facade designed in a High Victorian Gothic style. Over the main body of the church is a steeply pitched gable roof that extends from the rear (south) wall to the north facade.

The rear portion contains the nave, which includes aisles on either side with shed roofs below clerestory windows. At the north end of the church the main roof is bisected by two perpendicular gable roof wings which historically contained the double parlors and the Sunday School rooms. The main roof terminates on the north facade with the entrance porch and an engaged tower. The design of the interior of the Cathedral of St. George was planned to make use of the most natural light available on a narrow lot with buildings on three sides. A long nave with (continued) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 7 Page _ 2 Cathedral of St.

George Historic District Boston (Suffolk County), Massachusetts clerestory windows benefits from the exposure gained through the back yards and one story wings of the adjoining houses. For the parlors and Sunday School rooms the architect designed two perpendicular gable roof wings with large windows for both floors on the east and west sides. The second floor Sunday School room gains additional light from wall dormers on the north elevation. Ihis arrangement created a -shaped plan in which there was little room available for a traditional picturesque facade with a tower flanking a gable roof nave. Designed in a style derived from Venetian Gothic architecture, the windows, doors and entrance porches have lancet arches. On the north end of the buildings these apertures are highlighted with sandstone trim. Sandstone is also used for the belt courses and coping stone.

The polychromatic effect of the original design, however, has been diminished through the application of gray paint on all of the exposed sandstone. In the center of the brick-work for the north facade is a large lancet arch over the entrance porch. Ihis arch trames three lancet arched windows surmounted by a geometric field of terra cotta rosettes. The three windows are linked by colonettes of polished granite shafts with Gothic capitals. Flanking this great arch on the northwest corner of the gable end is the tower. Its narrow shaft, eleven foot square, terminates in a belfry capped by a standing seam metal roof finished off with small gablets. This metal roof replaced the spire, presumably removed around 1931. The beltry has lancet arched apertures and quoins constructed of sandstone. The quoins are embellished by sandstone crockets.

Narrow stair windows with decorative sandstone lintels are on each elevation of the tower. At its base is a buttress that also forms the outside corner of the entrance porch. This is visually balanced by another buttress at the opposite side of the porch. The porch itselt consists of two broad lancet arched entryways flanking three Set back from the plane of the tower and the entrance porch are the two perpendicular wings, each having a gable roof. On the north elevation of each of these two wings is a single wall dormer with a steeply pitched hipped roof. These dormers have triple hung sash and sandstone trim. The east and west gable ends have three lancet arched windows which provide light for what was originally the school rooms. At the peak of each gable are clustered chimneys constructed of brick and sandstone.

The side and rear elevations of the nave are not very visible from the street and, therefore, received minimal architectural ornament. There is a continuous sandstone belt course at the spring of the window arches along the east and west walls. The sills are also sandstone, but the window openings are framed with brick. Simple brick corbelling exists at the cornice line of the aisle roofs. The clerestory windows have metal frames. The rear (south) wall has no ornamentation and single doorway. The main entrance to the interior is gained through a vestibule in the north porch. The interior of this porch has been enclosed with glass and steel for energy conservation. Leather covered double doors in the vestibule open in to the central hall. The hall, sixteen feet wide, is flanked by twin rooms with sliding doors that have panels of wood and frosted glass.

At the end of (continued) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 7 Page 3 Cathedral of St. George Historic District Boston (Suffolk County), Massachusetts this hall is another perpendicular hall with flanking staircases. Both hallways are lined with tongue and groove chestnut wainscot and have plaster ceiling cornices. The trim and double doors to the parlor are also chestnut. The staircases are wood with large decorative newel posts and hand railing. The floors in the halls are covered with linoleum, which is not original. The east parlor is still intact and essentially serves its original function. There is a fireplace on the east wall with a marble surround. On the plaster walls are tongue and groove wainscot, and the ceiling has a molded plaster cornice. The floor is covered with carpet.

The windows have molded wood trim and there is colored glass with geometric designs in the sash. The small ante room of the southeast corner of this parlor provides access to the basement and the hall behind the sanctuary. The woodwork in this ante room is original but the sink has been replaced and the dumbwaiter converted into a closet. The west parlor has been converted into a small chapel. The wood trim around the windows and doors are original, but the wainscot and cornice with faux marble paint was added in 1982. This alteration coincided with the conversion of this room into the Theophany Chapel. It includes a carved wood and formed metal screen from Mexico. The twin staircases provide access to the balcony in the sanctuary and the auditorium, which was originally the Sunday School room. This space is directly above the entrance hall and the two parlors.

Now used as a meeting room, it contains original woodwork in the form of paneled doors, architrave trim, wainscot and chamfered ceiling beams with drops. On the north side is a platform that originally served as a small stage set beneath a plaster arch. On either side of the platform are two small rooms, one a closet and the other to provide access to the tower. Wood stairs were recently constructed in the tower to replace ladders. Opposite the stage are large folding doors which can be opened to prove access to the balcony and the sanctuary. Directly below the double parlors in the basement is eating space with a kitchen. This area historically contained the kitchen with sinks, stoves and a men's washroom. The basement has been completely remolded, first in 1950 and a second time in 1983. Little evidence of historic fabric remains.

The basement area under the sanctuary is not finished off. The sanctuary remains largely intact except for the platform area where the original pulpit stood. The woodwork, manufactured by William H.Stewart, is all black walnut and features Gothic molding profiles. The predominant decorative motif used on all of the woodwork derives from the "dogtooth" brick courses found on medieval architecture. The sanctuary is entered through wood double doors on the south side of the stair hall. There are four sets of paneled walnut doors which open into the sanctuary beneath the balcony. The balcony has an ornately molded paneled railing and is supported on massive brackets. The pews, which were manufactured by Wentworth & Co. of East Cambridge, have paneled ends embellished with quatrefoils.

(continued) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number _ Page 4 Cathedral of St. George Historic District Boston (Suffolk County), Massachusetts Above the sanctuary the gable roof is supported by four lancet arched trusses. On either side the aisle roofs are supported on smaller king post trusses. These have chamfered chords and struts, and posts in the form of a single round column. The intersection of the main roof trusses and the smaller aisle roof trusses form joints which are encased and decorated with decorative wood moldings. These joints intersect beneath the clerestory windows and are carried on cast iron columns with floral Gothic capitals. Along the ceilings of the two side walls are molded wood cornices and corbels supporting the lower chords of the clerestory trusses.

The plaster panels between the woodwork on the ceiling are painted with a plain field and decorative boarders. The geometric and floral motifs of these designs are original, although this work was mostly repainted in the course of repairs recently made to the plaster and lath. All of the non-religious artwork in the ceiling panels was originally done by Philip A. Butler. On the lower portions of the side and rear walls are large paintings representing religious events described in the Bible. This work was done around 1990. The sanctuary windows are stained glass with a combination of floral and geometric patterns by an unknown designer. The clerestory windows, which are more elaborate in design, have trefoils with bold floral motifs designed by J.M.Cook of South Boston.

At the south end of the sanctuary is a Byzantine style alter screen that was carved in 1912 by an Albanian, Usta Dhimitri. The screen replaced the original pulpit platform when the church became the Cathedral of St. George and is characteristic of sixteenth century religious carving found in Albanian churches. The screens were originally installed in the Emerald Street church of this congregation in 1922. At that time Orthodox religious paintings on the screen were added by Nicholas Zengo and Thomaidha Kiates. In the southeast corner of the sanctuary is a large Hook & Hastings organ with 1,500 pipes. In the southwest corner is a small room with chestnut woodwork and a marble fireplace surround. This historically served as the pastor's retiring room and serves the same function today for the priest. Behind the screen, where the original pulpit was located, are communion tables.

Alterations The exterior has not been significantly altered except for the removal of the spire, which probably occurred around 1931. In 1975 the sandstone trim was painted a steel gray, which is peeling and has exposed the reddish brown of the stone. A concrete access ramp was added to the west side of the building in 1995. The interior plan has not been altered and the only significant modification is the conversion of the west parlor into a chapel in 1982. House at 517 East Broadway This house is a three story brick structure with a granite foundation. An unusual feature is the third story, which is recessed from the plane of the wall to suggest a mansard roof. The design of a third story so that it resembles a mansard is also suggested by two corbelled brick cornices, one above the second story and a smaller one above the third story. The main roof is flat with a copper cornice.

On top of the roof toward to front of the house is a brick base for a cupola that has been removed. The base itself was also stripped of cornice and brackets. The third floor windows have molded metal surrounds, but those on the first floors have sandstone (continued) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 7 _ Page 5 Cathedral of St. George Historic District Boston (Suffolk County), Massachusetts sills and lintels with incised surrounds, but those on the first and second floors have sandstone sills and lintels with incised ornament. The windows are two over two double hung sash. On the north elevation is a three story bay window flanked by the main entrance. This entrance is the most ornate feature of the house.

Granite steps with molded treads lead to double doors of walhunreeds and berived floral moalls. Above the door is a large sandstone lintel ornamented The west side of the house joins the wood house on the lot next door. The east elevation is relatively plain with a jog toward the rear of the wall forming a partial bay window. A two story brick ell extends from the rear (south) of the house. All of the rear elevations are constructed of common brick. Alterations The only recorded alterations to the house are in 1924, when it was converted for three families, and in 1936, when repairs were made following fire damage. The nature of the repairs are not known, but the cupola may have been removed at that time. House at 525 East Broadway This is a two story brick house with a slate covered mansard roof. The east elevation, which is close to the house on the next lot, is not ornamented.

On the north facade is the main entrance flanked by a square two story bay window. All of the first and second floor windows on this elevation have sandstone lintels with cornices and drip moldings. Sandstone cornice moldings are also employed below the mansard roof, including a pediment over the bay window. All ot the sandstone has been painted with a heavy gray paint. Above the main entrance is a cornice supported on heavy stone brackets which are replacements dating from 1931. At that time the four first story bay windows were replaced with metal casement windows. The remainder of the windows in the house are wood, two over two double hung sash. This includes the dormers, which are a combination of full sized double hung sash with pediments, and smaller units in diminutive dormers.

The main entrance consists of walnut double doors with wood and glass panels set beneath a large transom light. An important surviving feature is the granite curbing and steps, which include cast iron fencing and hand-railing. The west elevation, which is visible from the street due to the church set-back, is relatively plain with brick walls and flat lintels. However, the mansard roof on this elevation continues important decorative features found on the north facade. In addition to a combination of large and small dormers, there are two large chimneys. Both chimneys have brick paneling but only the rear one retains its original corbelled caps. A third chimney, with a plain shaft, is located in the rear of the house.

Alterations Except for the window and cornice alterations on the north facade, the only major exterior changes are alterations to a window and door on the west facade of the ell. (END) Cathedral of St. George HD 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.) _A Property is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our 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. _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: XA owned by religious institution or used for religious purposes. _B removed from its original location.

_ C a birthplace or grave. _ 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. Narrative Statement of Significance Explain the significance of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) Suffolk, MA County and State Areas of Significance (Enter categories from instructions) ARCHITECTURE SOCIAL HISTORY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & PLANNING ETHNIC HERITAGE/European Period of Significance 1868-1949 Significant Dates 1868-1873 Significant Person (Complete if Criterion B is marked above) Cultural Affiliation Architect/Builder Samuel J.F. Thayer 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 X State Historic Preservation Office CFR 67) has been requested _ Other State agency -previously listed in the National Register Federal agency - previously determined eligible by the National Local government Register University _ designated a National Historic Landmark -Other _ recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey Name of repository: _ recorded by Historic American Engineering Record # United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number8 _ Page_ 1 Cathedral of St.

George Historic District Boston (Suffolk County), Massachusetts 8. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The Cathedral of St. George Historic District is an architecturally significant group of three buildings built in the period 1868-1873. The principal structure in the district is a church which is an outstanding example of High Victorian Gothic design prominently sited on East Broadway, a major thoroughfare of South Boston. The two other structures, both houses, are characteristic of upper middle class residential architecture built during the most prosperous period of development for this neighborhood of Boston. The district is also significant for its association with the Albanian community in Boston. The congregation of the Cathedral of St.

George, which owns all three buildings, has added religious artwork to the interior of the church which represents significant artistic contributions made by the Albanian-American community in Boston. The district is eligible for listing in the National Register under criterion C, and under criteria consideration A. Originally known as the Great Neck, South Boston originated as a peninsula that was a part of the Town of Dorchester. Dorchester Street, which forms the division between east and west Broadway, was the originally cow path to the pastures on the Great Neck at the turn-of-the- eighteenth century. Land speculators purchased large sections of the Great Neck in anticipation of Boston's continued population growth. This led to the annexation of the peninsula by the City of Boston in March, 1804. A bridge was constructed from South Street in Boston and the first roads were laid out.

These streets were given numbers and letters for names and laid out in a grid pattern. Most of the initial development occurred in the area west of Dorchester Street, but with a population growth from 2,300 in 1830 to over 13,000 in 1850, residential construction spread to the eastern half of the peninsula where the proposed historic district is located. The Cathedral of St. George Historic District is located in the center of a block of East Broadway between G and H streets. This section of East Broadway cuts across Mt. Washington, one of the three hills of South Boston, and was a desirable location for building. This site was originally the location of the Mt. Washington Female Institute, established in 1835. Three years later, the Mt. Washington Hotel was constructed on the same side of East Broadway near the corner of H Street.

Although not successful as a hotel, this building was shortly after acquired for the Perkins Institution for the Blind. East of H Street Broadway continued down the hill and past a large parcel which in the early nineteenth century was the location of several public institutions, including the House of Industry and the House of Reformation. When many of the original residential neighborhoods in the center of Boston gave way to commercial development the construction of housing east of Dorchester Street accelerated. Both sections of Broadway- east and west- were paved in 1850-53 and a horse-drawn street railway was constructed. Independence Square was created on the north side of East Broadway in 1854, at which time that section of road was also extend through to the east end of the peninsula.

By 1870 South Boston was an economically thriving ward of Boston (continued) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number_ 8 Page 2 Cathedral of St. George Historic District Boston (Suffolk County), Massachusetts with many residents employed locally in foundries, factories, shipyards and glass works. East and West Broadway formed the principal thoroughfare with a mixture of stores, churches and homes. The two houses in the district at 517 and 525 East Broadway represent the large number of middle class homes built in this area of South Boston just before and after the Civil War. The building which had housed the Mt. Washington Female Institute was demolished, opening up that portion of the block west of the Perkins Institute for the Blind to housing development.

The house at Number 525 East Broadway was built by Bernard Jenney in 1868. Jenney was president of the Jenney Manufacturing Company, a petroleum refining business. A family firm, it was tounded in Boston in 1812 for the manutacture of burning tluids. The business began to refine petroleum in South Boston in 1861 when Bernard and his brother Francis took over the company. By the early twentieth century Jenney gas stations were well known throughout New England. The Jenney oil refinery in South Boston was located at the corner of E and West First Streets. Bernard Jenney lived at 525 East Broadway until his death on September 22, 1918. The house at 517 East Broadway was also constructed around 1868. It was the residence of George B. James, who was in the lumber business. The James family was very prominent in South Boston and heavily involved in lumber and real estate activities.

For example, Benjamin James, George's father, trained as a joiner and, as a developer, is credited with having constructed 123 houses in South Boston. Francis James, who lived nearby at 495 East Broadway, trained as a mason before entering the real estate business. George James worked in the lumber business at an early age and it is possible that he was involved in housing development with Benjamin and Francis. The Unitarian Congregation which constructed the Cathedral of St. George had its origins in 1807 when John Hawes donated land for a church building. The Hawes Place Congregational Society was incorporated in 1818, but they did not have a substantial church until after the death of John Hawes in 1829. At that time funds from his estate paid for the construction of the first Hawes Church on Fourth Street, which was completed in 1833.

Eight years later a theological dispute in the congregation led to the formation of a second Unitarian church, known as the Second Hawes Congregational Society. In 1869 George Augustine Thayer became pastor of the newly formed church. For reasons that are not clear, he shortly after became head of the older Hawes Place Congregational Society and helped to raise funds to construct a new building on East Broadway. This was a prosperous period in South Boston and the Unitarians were only one of several congregations to construct a new church during the decade of the 1870s. Also built were the Dorchester Street Methodist Episcopal Church (1870), St. Augustine Church (1871), the Broadway Universalist Society (1872), St. Vincents Church (1874), Grace Episcopal Church (1875), the City Point Methodist Episcopal Church (1878), and the Phillips Church (1879).

(continued) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number8 . Page 3 Cathedral of St. George Historic District Boston (Suffolk County), Massachusetts Both Bernard Jenney and George James were Unitarians and active in the construction of the new church. The lot for the church was owned by George James, who sold the property, including his house, to the trustees of the Second Hawes Congressional Church in 1872. The church voted that the Building Committee, which included both Jenney and Bernard James, be authorized to dispose of that portion of the property not needed for a church. Accordingly, the d orach rc doo cngy, thc James House at 517 East Broadway was sold in October, 1873, to Joseph B.Crosby.

Crosby, a carpenter by trade, was the grandson of Sumner Crosby, a member of the Standing Committee of the church. A condition attached to the deed specified that, " ...no other than brick or stone dwelling house shall be erected upon said premises, and said premises shall be used tor no other purpose, and said house shall be placed as far from the street as the adjoining house." This condition protected the church from future development. The original house remained standing, however, and was conveyed by Joseph Crosby to his father, William S. Crosby, in March, 1881. Crosby senior resided here until 1890, when he sold the house to Henry J. Bowen, who was also a prominent member of the church. Bowen had taken over his father's South Boston real estate business in 1882 and acquired this property for his own residence.

In addition to Bernard Jenney and George James, the Standing Committee for the new church included Sumner Crosby, Hosea H. Bowen (father of Henry Bowen, later owner of the house at 519), S.A.Wood, Charles H. Hersey, and Thomas Gagin. S.A.Woods was owner of the S.A.Woods Machine Company, manufacturers of wood working machinery with a plant on Dorchester Avenue. Charles Hersey owned another South Boston industry, the Hersey Manutacturing Company, producers of steam engines. With so many prominent South Boston businessmen involved in the church it is not surprising that a major architectural landmark was constructed. A Building Committee was formed chaired by Henry Souther and included John C.Whiton, as well as Messrs. James, Jenney and Hersey. Ground was broken in July, 1872, and construction completed in September, 1873.

The finished church included a sanctuary, two large parlors, and a Sunday School room. The fact that there were two parlors, both of which could be opened up through to the shared hall, and a large Sunday School room on the second floor, was noted in newspaper accounts at the dedication. "From the number and size of the parlors which open into the spacious vestibule on either hand, one might imagine that the parish intended to maintain an elegant mansion for the delight of the worshipers in its sanctuary. Certain it is that the good people of the Rev. Mr.

Thayer's church have made ample preparations for the cultivation of the social element in their parish life; and their new and beautiful temple will not only serve as a place of gatherings on Sundays, but as a pleasant home for 'social gatherings." The architect chosen was Samuel J.F.Thayer, who lived in a house not far from the church at 170 Dorchester Street. Thayer was born in Boston in 1842, the son of Richard Thayer, an inventor, and grew up in South Boston at 316 Fourth Street. Samuel trained as an architect in the office of J.D.Towle from 1858 until about 1861 when he formed his owned practice with George Ropes. Thayer enlisted in the Fifth Regiment of Massachusetts Infantry in September, 1862, and served until July 2, 1863.

Upon his return to practice he worked on his own, except for a brief (continued) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number _ 8 Page 4 Cathedral of St. George Historic District Boston (Suffolk County), Massachusetts partnership with A.C.Martin during the late 1860s. In 1867 Thayer was a founding member of the Boston Society of Architects. According to an unpublished history of the society he was a very active member, particularly as the chairman of the Committee on Inventions. This source records that he was well-liked among the members and known for his practical innovations, such as bottled India ink and lithographed reproduction of office drawings. During the 1870s and early 1880s Thayer was one of the more prominent Boston architects. Later his career declined, and he took his own life in 1893.

The decade of the 1870s when Thayer lived in South Boston was apparently a successful time forthe architect. His commission for the Hawes Church was preceded bylarge high schools in Charlestown and Somerville, and followed by the Brookline Town Hall and the City Hall in Providence, Rhode Island. The latter was won in a major public competition in 1874. All of the other documented churches by Thayer pre-date the Hawes Church: the Winter Hilll Congregational Church in Somerville (with George Ropes, 1863), the Trinity Methodist Church in Charlestown (with A.D.Martin, 1867), the South Boston Baptist Church (1867), the Church of the Good Shepard in Boston (1868), St. John's Methodist Church in South Boston (1868), the Clarendon Street Baptist Church in Boston (1869), and the Church of the New Jerusalem in Yarmouthport (1870).

Important later projects included the Stoughton Town Hall (1881), Nevins Memorial Library in Methuen (1883), Wilson Hall at Dartmouth College (1885), and the Tudor Apartments on Beacon Hill (1885). Thayer's design for the Cathedral of St. George and the church in Yarmouthport are the only documented examples of his ecclesiastic commissions which survive relatively unaltered. Moreover, the Yarmouthport church is a small wood structure in a semi-rural setting and offers little to compare to his urban work. Known as the Hawes Church, the Cathedral of St. George was published both in the Architectural Sketch-Book in March, 1874, and the American Architect ana Bullding News in November, 1o//, two important architectural Journals at the time. The design for the Cathedral of St. George was unlike any of the other ecclesiastical designs by Thayer and in some ways his most distinctive.

His Hawes Church design carefully took advantage of the narrow lot between two existing houses to maximize the exposure from natural light. In comparison to his other work, both the Clarendon Street Baptist Church and St. John's Methodist Church by Thayer are in a conventional Gothic Revival style similar to several other Boston churches built at that time. In contrast, the principal elevation of the Hawes Church displays a much more freely interpreted use of Venetian Gothic-inspired design based upon the writing of the English art critic, John Ruskin. Thayer later made more frequent use of the High Victorian Gothic style in several competition projects, such as the Randolph Library, the High and Latin School Buildings, Smith College in Northampton, and the office building the New York Mutual Life Insurance Company in Boston. The design for the Cathedral of St.

George is also significant in comparison with the contemporary work of other architects in Boston. It is one of the earliest surviving examples in Boston of the High Victorian Gothic style. The 1872 design was contemporary with major examples by other architects, such as Harvard's Memorial Hall (1865-71, Ware & Van Brunt), (continued) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 8 Page 5 Cathedral of St. George Historic District Boston (Suffolk County), Massachusetts the Masonic Temple (1867 Merrill Wheelock), the first Museum of Fine Arts (1870-1876, Sturgis & Brigham), the Boston & Providence Railroad Station (1872-73, Peabody & Stearns), the new Old South Church (1873-74 Cummings & Sears), and the YMCA on Boylston Street (1875, William G. Preston).

In addition, there were numerous major commercial buildings designed in the High Victorian Gothic style, although little evidence of these structures survives in Boston. Only the Old South Church among these other major landmarks of the style was also an ecclesiastical building. As with Thayer's earlier work, most of the church buildings by other architects erected at this time were in either a traditional English Gothic Revival style or a Romanesque style. George Augustine Thayer (who, as far as is known, was no relation to the architect) remained pastor of the church until 1882. In 1886 the two Unitarian churches in South Boston merged, declined. During its final years, the congregation held services in one of the parlors. As a consequence of its dwindling congregation, little remodeling was done to the building until recently.

The only major change to the building was the removal of the spire. No record of this alteration survives except for a 1917 building permit which called for repairs to the spire, and a 1931 permit for repairs to the cornice that blew off in a storm that may also have taken the spire. In 1913 the old Perkins Institute for the Blind was demolished for a new municipal building just to the east of the historic district. By the 1920s, several houses in this block of East Broadway had been partially converted for doctor's residences. Number 517 was altered for three families and an office in 1924 by Dr. Charles Rothwell. A doctor's office was added in the first floor of number 525 as well, and it was remodeled by Dr. V.M.Casper in 1931. Among the many new ethnic groups to settle in Boston during the early twentieth century were Albanians. The largest migration period was between 1906 and 1930.

The Albanian Urthodox Church was established in Boston by Fan Noli in March, 1908, two weeks after he was ordained a priest. Father, later Archbishop, Noli was an extraordinary Renaissance man who, in addition to his religious activities, graduated from Harvard cum laude in 1912, then returned to his native Albania to participate in the founding of that nation and briefly serve as premier in 1924. Upon returning to this country he took a Bachelor of Music at the New England Conservatory of Music, followed by a Ph.D. in history at Boston University. The Albanian Orthodox Church did not have a permanent house of worship until 1922. Prior to that, various structures were rented to hold services. A church building on Emerald Street became their first permanent home 1922. That building is no longer standing. The Hawes Church was purchased in 1949 as the new home of the Cathedral of St.

George. In acquiring the old Unitarian church the Albanian congregation obtained a building whose ornate Venetian (continued) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number 8 _ Page _ 6 Cathedral of St. George Historic District Boston (Suffolk County), Massachusetts Gothic style was artistically compatible with the Byzantine style artifacts that were introduced into the building. In particular, the alter screen, carved in 1912, provides an architecturally harmonious visual termination at the south end of the sanctuary where there was originally a modest pulpit. This screen had been carved for use by the congregation in the various lofts rented by the church. The church also acquired the house at 517 East Broadway in 1978, and the house at 523 East Broadway in 1996.

These two properties, which were built by important early members of the Hawes congregation, are an important part of the history of the church and its original design. (END) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number9 Page 1 Cathedral Church of St. George Historic District Boston (Suffolk County), Massachusetts No. 9 Major Bibliographical References Alofsin, Anthony, Kim, Heegom, and Tagiuri, Peter,"Hawes Church of 1872. Cathedral of St.George of Today", unpublished paper, May 12, 1980. American Architect and Building News, Vol. 2, November 10, 1877, p.361. Architectural Sketchbook, Vol. 1, No. IX, March, 1874. Austin, William D, "A History of the Boston Society of Architects in the Nineteenth Century", unpublished manuscript: 1942, page 8. Boston Globe, September 19, 1873, p.1.

Ebata, Osamu, Hu, Shyr-Fong, and Jearkjirm, Vandee, "St. George Cathedral. Hawes Church of 1872", unpublished paper, May 13, 1986. Gillespie, C. Bancroft. Illustrated History of South Boston. Boston: Inquierer Publishing Company, 1900. St. George Cathedral Banner, Vol. II, no. 3, Summer, 1996; Vol. III, no. 1, Spring, 1997. Simonds, Thomas C. History of South Boston. Boston: David Clapp, 1857. "Suicide of an Architect", Boston Evening Transcript, February 28, 1893. Toomey, J. and Rankin, C. History of South Boston. Boston: published by authors, 1901. (END) Cathedral of St. George HD Name of Property Suffolk,MA County, State 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 Zone 321570 Easting 4688750 Northing 3. Zone Easting Northing 2. Zone 4.

Easting Northing Zone Easting Northing - See continuation sheet 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_Roger Reed, Preservation Consultant, with Betsy Friedberg, NR Director, MHC organization Massachusetts Historical Commission street & number 220 Morrissey Boulevard city or town Boston _stateMassachusetts _date October 1998 telephone 617-727-8470 _zip code_ 02125-3314 Additional Documentation Submit the following items with the completed form: Continuation Sheets Maps A 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 (Complete this item at the request of the SHPO or FPO.) name Albanian Orthodox Archdiocese in America street & number 523 East Broadway telephone city or town South Boston state MA _zip code_ 02127 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.0. Box 37127, Washington, DC 20013-7127; and the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reductions Project (1024-0018), Washington, DC 20503. United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number10 _ Page 1 Cathedral of St. George Historic District Boston (Suffolk County), Massachusetts 10.

GEOGRAPHICAL DATA Verbal Boundary Description The boundary of the nominated property is shown as parcels 2050, 2051 and 2052 on the accompanying detail of the Boston Assessor's map of Ward 6. These properties are described in deeds filed with the Suffolk County Registry of Deeds, Books 18823. page 315, 6584, page 92, and 1860, page 334. The total area is 25, 200 square feet. Boundary Justification The boundary includes three contiguous parcels of land belonging to the Cathedral of St. George. It includes two houses built about 1868 and a church constructed in 1872-73. All three properties are fronting East Broadway in South Boston. (END) NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number Photos Page - OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Cathedral of St. George HD Boston (S.

Boston) (Suffolk co.), MA PHOTOGRAPHS Taken by Roger Reed, May, 1998 Negatives in possession of photographer 1. View of district from the NE (525 East Broadway - Cathedral - 517 East Broadway) 2. Cathedral from the NW 3. 517 Broadway from NW 4. Interior, Cathedral sanctuary (end) A. w LOVV 100.02 3003 -. 1923 10202 3375 224 1899 1826 2500 102.00 -.. 2500 188.68 2036 100.00 1850 1850 LAseC 1794 1700 :AD6-. -RD 7 4900 19/3 1913 CATHEDRAL OF ST. GEORGE HISTORIC DISTRICT BOSTON, SUFFOLK COUNTY MASSACHUSETTS 523 ST. GEORGE CATHEDORL 14700 8. :1725- * 1725 525 5600 * 1725 EAST BROADWAY 158.00 2210 R.P.C MARe SAGEWAY 736.00 MUNICIPAL BUILDING 25,815 5440 lm) WHDERGHOUND BLOCK 180 C.B 4290 29.00 1800- , 2560 .00.00 85.00 =1870 373 7 3/45. 23.98 85.00 =2687 95.00 .2244 85.00 PASSAGEWAY igit 343g. -EAST - FOURTH - 515 723.0E INFOR 8.

DEi RPC BACADNAY 183 F.P 17200 Ground Floor Plan SECOND HAWES CHURCH South Soston, MA. Souece: "St. Genrge Cathedral Howes Church d 1872" by Osamu Ebata. Shya-Fong Hu cal Vandee Jeankgice, May13,1986 GOFET Upper Floor Plan SECOND HAWES CHURCH South Boston, MA. Source: " St. George Cathedral Hawes Chura A1872° L. Asamu Ebata Shun-Fong Hee aad Vondec Jeorteyine, May13,1986 A-O.Ou 209901 NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number - Page - OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 SUPPLEMENTARY LISTING RECORD NRIS Reference Number: 98001361 Date Listed: 11/25/98 Cathedral of St.

George Historic District Suffolk MA Property Name: County: State: 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. Patuile Andurs Signature of the Keeper 12/23/98 Date of Action Amended Items in Nomination: This SLR makes a technical amendment to the form. The Areas of Significance include both Architecture and History, but only Criterion C has been selected. Criterion A is added to reflect the Areas of Significance other than Architecture.

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 Cathedral of St. George Historic District NAME : MULTIPLE NAME: STATE & COUNTY: MASSACHUSETTS, Suffolk DATE RECEIVED: DATE OF 16TH DAY: DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: 10/13/98 11/12/98 DATE OF PENDING LIST: 10/27/98 DATE OF 45TH DAY: 11/27/98 REFERENCE NUMBER: 98001361 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 DATE ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: RECOM.

/CRITERIA Accept AEC REVIEWER Patuik Andus TELEPHONE DISCIPLINE Historian DATE 11125/98 DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y/N 500 Cathedral of St. Gearge Historic Distriet 512-25 East Broadway, Boston Suffalle Gerunty, MA Rogar Rerd May, 1998 No.l Vigw of district from noetheast (house at 525E. Bronderay-left, Cathadral d St George-Couter, hause at 517 E. Brenduny-right) Cathedral & St George Historic Distrrt 517-25 East Brondway, Boston Suffolle County, MA Roger Reed May, 1498 No. 2 Cathedral A St. George From noathwest Cathedral of St George Histonis Distrist 512-25 East Brandway, Boston Sufolle Covunty, MA Ragar Reed May, 1778 No.3 House at SI? E. Broadwry from northwest Cathedral of St. George Historie Distniet 517-25 Eost Broodway, Boston Suftolle County, MA Roges Reed Mar, 1978 No.4 Vicu et sanctuary in Cathedral Church & St.

Goorge FUJIFILM PAPER 10 PAPER RO PAPER y FUJII PARER pEh PAPER RECEIVED 2280 OCT I| 3 1998 GORTETITECRACPIN The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Massachusetts Historical Commission October 5, 1998 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: Cathedral of St. George Historic District, 517-525 East Broadway, Boston (South Boston) (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, Betay Fuedliey Betsy Friedberg, National Register Director Massachusetts Historical Commission CC: Matthew Kiefer, Acting Chair, Boston Landmarks Commission Roger Reed, Preservation Consultant Hon. Thomas M. Menino, Mayor, City of Boston Maura Fitzpatrick Sklarz, Boston Landmarks Commission Ms. Denise Lymperis, Cathedral of St. George 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 DATE FRI. NOV 6, 1998, 10:07 AM NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES PROPERTY REPORT REFERENCE No.: 98001361 Page: Control No.: 981030/aja PROPERTY NAME: Cathedral of St. George Historic District OTHER NAME/ Hawes Unitarian Church SITE No. MULTIPLE NAME: NOT APPLICABLE ADDRESS/ BOUNDARY 517-523-525 E.

Broadway 16 CITY: Boston COUNTY: Suffolk Restricted Location Information: Contributing Noncontributing Buildings Sites Structures Objects 3 0 Nomination/Determination Type: SINGLE RESOURCE Nominator: STATE GOVERNMENT STATE: MASSACHUSETTS Owner: PRIVATE Resource Type: DISTRICT Nominator Name: NOT APPLICABLE Federal Agency: NOT APPLICABLE NPS Park Name: NOT APPLICABLE Certification: DATE RECEIVED/PENDING NOMINATION Date: 10/13/98 Other Certification: NOT APPLICABLE Historic Functions: RELIGION Historic RELIGIOUS STRUCTURE Subfunctions: CHURCH RELATED RESIDENCE Current Functions: RELIGION Current RELIGIOUS STRUCTURE Subfunctions: CHURCH RELATED RESIDENCE Level of Significance: LOCAL Applicable Criteria: ARCHITECTURE/ENGINEERING Significant Person's Name: NOT APPLICABLE Criteria Considerations: RELIGIOUS PROPERTY Area of Significance: ARCHITECTURE SOCIAL HISTORY COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT EUROPEAN Periods of: Significance: 1850-1874 1900-1924 1875-1899 1925-1949 Circa: Specific Sig.

1868 1873 Cultural Affiliation: NOT APPLICABLE Years: Architect/Builder/Engineer/ Designer: Thayer, Samuel J.F. Other Documentation: NOT APPLICABLE HABS No. N/A Architectural GOTHIC Styles: Describe Other Style: NOT APPLICABLE Foundation Materials: GRANITE Wall Materials: BRICK Roof. Materials: SLATE Other Materials: IRON Acrèage: 0.9 UTM Zone Easting Northing Coordinates: 19/ /3 21 5707 /46 88 750 HAER No. N/A SANDSTONE Zone / Easting Northing / /