First Unitarian Church (Somerville, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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First Unitarian Church
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The former First Unitarian Church, photographed in 2009.
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 130 Highland Ave, Somerville, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1894-95 |
| Architect | Hartwell & Richardson |
| Architectural style | Richardsonian Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 89001264 |
| Added to NRHP | September 18, 1989 |
The First Unitarian Church is a beautiful old stone building in Somerville, Massachusetts. It was built a long time ago, in 1894, for a group of people called Unitarians. A famous architecture team, Hartwell & Richardson, designed it. They used a special style called Richardsonian Romanesque, which makes the building look strong and grand. Today, this historic building is home to the Mission Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Contents
A Church with a Story
The group that built this church started way back in 1844. They built their first church that same year. But sadly, that church burned down in 1852. They built a new one in 1853, but it also burned down in 1867!
Their third church was finished in 1869. In 1893, the City of Somerville bought this building. They needed the land for a new Somerville High School. So, the church group needed a new home.
Building the Current Church
The current church building was started in 1894. It is located just one block up Highland Avenue from their old spot. The architects, Hartwell & Richardson, also designed the new high school. They chose the popular Richardsonian Romanesque style for the church. This style is named after Henry Hobson Richardson, a famous architect. The new church was finished in 1895. After that, their old building was taken down.
New Beginnings
In 1930, another Unitarian church in Somerville joined with the First Unitarian Church. Later, in 1975, the church group decided to close. The building was then bought in 1976 by the Mission Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ. This church, which is an Apostolic Pentecostal church, still uses the building today.
The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. This means it is a very important historical place.
What the Church Looks Like
The First Unitarian Church building is on the south side of Highland Avenue. It is a very handsome stone building. It has a tall, steeply sloped roof. There is also a square tower at the front right corner.
The front of the church has two entrances. Above these, there are five rectangular stained-glass windows. Higher up, there are three tall, round-arch stained-glass windows.
The Tower and Stained Glass
The church tower has two levels. It leads up to a belfry, which is where bells would be. This belfry has three round-arch openings on each side. Above that, there is a clock with faces on all sides. The tower is topped with a pointed slate roof. This building is a great example of the Richardsonian Romanesque style.
The church has many beautiful stained-glass windows. Some of these windows are memorials to people who supported the church. The largest window is in the center of the front. It shows Christ healing the sick. This window remembers Columbus Tyler and Mary Elizabeth Tyler. They were big supporters of the church. Next to this, there are windows showing the Angel of Charity and the Angel of Faith.
Gallery
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The congregation's former building in Central Hill Park, completed in 1869.
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The former First Unitarian Church, photographed soon after completion in 1897.
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The church tower, photographed in 2009.
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See also
