First Church of Christ, Congregational (Springfield, Massachusetts) facts for kids
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First Church of Christ, Congregational
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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First Church of Christ
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Springfield, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1819 |
| Architect | Isaac Damon |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Federal |
| Part of | Court Square Historic District (ID74000370) |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000135 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | February 1, 1972 |
| Designated CP | May 2, 1974 |
The First Church of Christ, Congregational, also known as the Old First Church, is a very old and important church in Springfield, Massachusetts. It's located at 50 Elm Street. The building you see today was built in 1819. It's actually the fourth church building to stand in this exact spot! Because of its history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. This means it's officially recognized as a special historical landmark. The church is also part of the Court Square Historic District, an area known for its historic buildings.
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A Look Back: The Church's History
The First Church started way back in 1637. That was just one year after Springfield was founded by a businessman named William Pynchon.
The very first church building was built in 1645. It was located where Court Square is today. This first building had two towers. One tower held the church bell. The other tower was used to watch for people approaching the town.
This first building was replaced in 1677. Then, a third church building was built in 1752. Finally, the building we see today was built in 1819.
Famous Visitors and Events
Many important people visited the church over the years. Dr. Samuel Osgood was the pastor from 1809 to 1854. During his time, famous figures came to the church.
- Daniel Webster, a well-known politician, visited.
- John Brown, who worked to end slavery, also spent time in Springfield and visited the church.
- In July 1851, the famous singer Jenny Lind performed a concert there.
- In 1848, the body of former President John Quincy Adams was placed in the church's main aisle. This allowed people to pay their respects.
The Church Today: What It's Used For
The First Church was active for 370 years. But in 2007, it closed down. This was because of high repair costs and fewer members. The building was then sold to the City of Springfield.
In 2011, a tornado hit Western Massachusetts. The church's roof was damaged during this storm. The city used money from the government to fix the roof.
Today, the city rents the building to a local church called Wellspring Church. They hold their Sunday services there. The building is also rented out for special events like weddings.
Building Design: The Architecture
The church was designed by Isaac Damon. He was a famous architect from Northampton, Massachusetts. He designed many churches in the area. He created 13 churches in total during his career. Some of his other designs include churches in Blandford, Southwick, and Northampton.
The Steeple and City Heights
From 1908 to 1970, the height of the Old First Church's steeple was very important. It was 125 feet tall. The state of Massachusetts made a rule in 1908. This rule said that other buildings in Springfield could not be taller than the church's steeple.
There was only one exception to this rule. That was the Springfield Municipal Group, a group of city buildings. This rule is why Springfield has fewer very tall skyscrapers. Other cities like Hartford, Connecticut and Providence, Rhode Island have many more tall buildings.
Why the Church is Important to Springfield
An architect named Eugene C. Gardner wrote about how important the Old First Church is to Springfield. He said that in old New England towns, the first church was always the most important building. It was the center of everything. It was important for social life, politics, education, and religion.
Gardner noted that the Old First Church has remained the "civic center of gravity" for Springfield. This means it's still seen as the heart of the city. Even though other churches and buildings have been built, the church's unique steeple still stands out. It reminds people of the city's long history.
Past Leaders: Ministers of the Church
Here is a list of the ministers who led the First Church over the years:
- George Moxon: 1637–1652
- Pelatiah Glover: 1660–1692
- Daniel Brewer: 1694–1733
- Robert Breck: 1736–1784
- Bezaleel Howard: 1785–1809
- Samuel Osgood: 1809–1854
- Henry M. Parsons: 1854–1870
- Edward A. Reed: 1871–1878
- Edward Payson Terhune: 1879–1884
- Michael Burnham: 1885–1894
- Frank Lincoln Goodspeed: 1894–1908
- Neil McPherson: Began in 1910
See also
