First Church in Roxbury facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The First Church in Roxbury |
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The First Church in Roxbury, Modern Day
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation |
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| Status | Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry Headquarters |
| Location | |
| Location | Roxbury, Boston, Massachusetts |
| Architecture | |
| Completed | 1632 |
The First Church in Roxbury is a very old and important building in Boston, Massachusetts. It is also known as the First Church of Roxbury. Today, it serves as the main office for the Unitarian Universalist ("UU") Urban Ministry.
People have used a church on this spot since 1632. That's when early English settlers built the very first meetinghouse here. The building you see today has been rebuilt four times over the years. Its current look shows how it appeared in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
History of the First Church
The First Meeting House (1632–1674)
The First Church of Roxbury was one of the first churches built by English settlers. In 1631, settlers in Roxbury felt ready to start their own church. They had previously belonged to the Church of Dorchester. The church officially began when its first meetinghouse was built in 1632.
This first meetinghouse was a central part of the community for many years. It served the people from 1632 to 1674. The first pastor, Reverend Thomas Weld, was officially chosen in July 1632. It's believed the church's covenant, a special agreement, was signed around this time.
No clear records show what the first meetinghouse looked like. But based on buildings from that time, it was probably a simple, small structure. It likely had a roof made of straw or reeds. This meetinghouse was very important to the new community in Roxbury. Many early settlers came to America seeking freedom from religious persecution.
In August 1645, the church decided to create the "Free Schoole in Roxburie." This school is now known as Roxbury Latin School. Samuel Danforth became the church's second pastor on September 24, 1650.
John Eliot and Native Americans
John Eliot was chosen as the first teacher for the church on November 5, 1632. Eliot was a Puritan missionary. He became known as "the apostle to the Indians." He earned this name because he learned the Algonquin language. This was the language spoken by Native Americans in the area.
Eliot used his language skills to translate parts of the Bible. He translated the Ten Commandments and the Lord's Prayer into Algonquin. He hoped to teach Native Americans about Puritan Christianity. Eliot also accidentally introduced the idea of a written language to the natives. Before him, they mostly communicated by speaking. Their written language was mainly pictures, like Egyptian hieroglyphs.
The Second Meeting House (1674–1741)
Roxbury's population grew, and the church needed a bigger building. People from nearby Muddy River also joined the church. They didn't have their own place of worship until 1717. So, a new meetinghouse was built. The first service in this new building was on November 15, 1674.
On October 17, 1688, Nehemiah Walter became a pastor. Around 1693, the church added pews for the first time. Before this, the meetinghouse only had seats. In 1706, people from "Jamaica End" (a western part of Roxbury) asked to form their own church area. Their request was denied.
However, in 1711, they asked again, and this time it was approved. Eighteen members left The First Church in Roxbury to form The Second Church in Roxbury. Thomas Walter became a pastor on October 19, 1718. Roxbury's population kept growing. In March 1736, the church decided to build another new meetinghouse. They chose to build it slightly north of the old one. The old meetinghouse was taken down when the new one began construction.
The Third Meeting House (1741–1744)
Because the population kept growing, an even larger meetinghouse was needed. In the summer of 1741, the third meetinghouse was finished. The first service in this new building was on August 31, 1741.
Sadly, a fire broke out in February 1743 or 1744. The fire completely destroyed the meetinghouse. The church congregation then met in a brick schoolhouse. They stayed there until a new meetinghouse could be built.
The Fourth Meeting House (1744–1803)
After the fire, the fourth meetinghouse was built. It was put in the same spot and looked just like the third one. It was finished in 1746. This building continued to serve the church until the American Revolutionary War began.
The Siege of Boston and the Church
From March 29, 1775, until April 8, 1776, no public meetings were held in the church. This period included the Siege of Boston, which was the start of the Revolutionary War. During the siege, the meetinghouse could not hold religious services. Instead, it was used as a signal station for the army.
Because it was used by the army, the church became a target for British bombs. By the time the British left Boston in 1776, the meetinghouse had been damaged in several places. The war caused many church members to scatter. The church did not have an official minister again until 1782.
After the Revolutionary War
Once the church found a new pastor in 1782, things slowly returned to normal. The church and meetinghouse went back to serving the community. People worked to repair the damage from the war. In 1787, a group of men gave the church a clock. This clock was placed on the bell tower. Around this time, the church officially started calling itself a "parish."
On May 27, 1799, the church voted against building a new meetinghouse. However, in 1802, another vote was taken. This time, they decided to start building a new church. Three different plans were suggested. After one was chosen, they decided to sell the old meetinghouse at an auction. The congregation used the old meetinghouse for the last time on April 17, 1803.
The Fifth Meeting House (1804-Present)
The building standing today is the fifth meetinghouse for First Church of Roxbury. It was finished in 1804. This church is an important building in the John Eliot Square National Register District. It is a two-story wooden building with a bell tower. It was designed in the "Federal Meetinghouse" style. The building is about 80 feet long and 70 feet wide. It can seat around 800 people.
The tower was rebuilt after a hurricane in 1954. It holds a bell bought in 1819 from the Paul Revere Foundry. This bell weighs 1538 pounds! The clock on the tower's front was added in 1863. In 1825, the church became a religious society. It joined with the Universalist church.
Modern Day Use
Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry
Today, the First Church in Roxbury is home to the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry. This group is based in Roxbury, Boston, MA. It is a social justice organization. They offer programs that help the community. These programs are open to everyone, no matter their religion.
They provide academic and fun activities for children and teens. They also offer safe places for people and families escaping domestic violence. The ministry helps young women find affordable housing. This includes temporary housing for those leaving shelters. They also offer volunteer help to other non-profit groups in Roxbury.
