St. Michael's Church - Marblehead MA
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member nomadwillie
N 42° 30.260 W 070° 51.060
19T E 347918 N 4707434
Built in 1714-15, St. Michael's Church is be the oldest Episcopal Church still in use in New England.
Waymark Code: WMQ7AN
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 01/03/2016
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member NW_history_buff
Views: 3

5. St. Michael's Church (Episcopal) (open daily 9-5), corner of Summer St., erected in 1714, and is probably the oldest Episcopal church edifice in New England. The interior has gate pews and the typical Colonial raised pulpit, reached by a winding stair and surmounted by an overhanging sounding board.

pp. 275 Massachusetts: a Guide to its Places and People, 1937


The church was completed in June 1715 and was a result of dissenters rebelling against the rule of Puritans and other independent religions. The 'benefactors" included 30 captains of vessels with the main contributor Colonel Nicolson, who was the colonial governor of New York, Maryland and Virginia. Marblehead was predominately a Congregational town and the church had difficulty finding sufficient number of supporters and fell into financial hard times.

The bell in the tower was cracked from the constant ringing, celebrating the news of the signing of Declaration of Independence. The bell was replaced with one cast by Paul Revere in 1818.

As attendance decreased the church was forced to suspend services in 1818. The church went thru a period of time of opening and closing. In 1831 extensive repairs were necessary and the alterations transformed St Michael's into the Gothic Revival appearance.
Book: Massachusetts

Page Number(s) of Excerpt: 275

Year Originally Published: 1937

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