First Parish Church in Dorchester - Boston, MA - This Old Church on Waymarking.com

This classic New England church building was designed by Cabot, Everett and Mead with references to Colonial models. Some consider it to be one of the finest examples of the Christopher Wren type buildings in the United States. Its influence can certainly be seen in many church buildings in the area.

In the fall of 2006 the lantern tower (steeple) was removed from the church as part of an ambitious, over-due restoration project. At the time of these photos, July 2009, the steeple was still on the ground across the street and the exterior of the building was in a horrible state of disrepair with badly peeling paint, unkempt grounds, and generally looking like a dilapidated relic.

I've been unable to find current information on this project's progress, or whether the rumored time capsule under the weather vane was ever located. Nor, have I been able to find out any information about the clock or bell that are a part of this landmark structure.

Text of a historical marker at this site:

Meeting House Hill

Dorchester's first church, or meeting house, crowned this imposing height, known since 1670 as Meeting House Hill. For 140 years after the town's settlers chose this spot, the district prospered and became an important crossroad and municipal center. The first school was built and soon filled with youngsters. Stage coaches arrived from Boston, and farmers stopped here on their way to market.

In the early 19th century, however, Codman Square to the south began to be built up and eventually curtailed the Hill's ascendancy.


Note: Second Church in Dorchester, located in Codman Square, was built in 1805, and provided an alternative house of worship and gathering place, particularly for those who lived south of the city.

Here is an interesting historical sketch from the church web site, cited below.

The printing of the Bible in the middle of the 15th century brought about a great religious unrest which spread throughout Europe and England. Rev. John White was a leader of the trend of religious belief. Under his guidance, a group of some 140 Englishmen met and formed a church, calling themselves Puritans. Unlike the Pilgrims who were Non-Conformists or Separatists, the Puritans were reformers who, when conditions became intolerable in England, decided to emigrate.

On March 20, 1630 (old time), this little band met in the New Hospital, Plymouth, England, fasting, praying and preparing themselves for the exodus. Rev. John White preached sermons in the morning and afternoon; then, with his blessing, the emigrating Puritans set sail in the 400-ton ship Mary and John for "God's Plantation" in the New World. Seventy perilous days passed, marked with much prayer, many long sermons and the discomforts of so long a journey in so small a ship. This was a unique venture - perhaps the only one in New England history - a fully organized church with its covenant, officers, members and two ministers transplanted from the Old Country to the New.

The first landing was made at Hull, May 30, 1630. Captain Squeb was afraid to take his ship through the island-studded bay to the mouth of the Charles River as had been planned. Early in June a second landing was made at a point of land called "Mattapan" by the Indians. This spot the Puritans called "Dorchester Plantation".

In 1631 the first church was built, a crude log cabin thatched with grass. It served many purposes: church, fort, storehouse and town hall. A granite boulder with an inscribed tablet marks the spot where the first church stood at the point where Pleasant and Cottage Streets meet, a place then known as "Allen's Plains". The second church, originally built on the same sight as the first, was moved to Meetinghouse Hill in 1670 and established approximately on the spot now occupied by the tall granite monument. Eight years later a third church was built, the first meeting in this structure being held November 17, 1678.

The fourth meetinghouse was built in 1743 on a site practically identical with its predecessor. The fifth meetinghouse, built in 1816 on the present site, burned February 3, 1896 during the ministry of Rev. Eugene R. Shippen. The sixth meetinghouse was built on the foundation of the 1816 structure, using the same granite doorsteps. this building still stands offering an opportunity for work and worship in the religion of Jesus - - love to God and love to Man.

In its 374 years, twenty-five ministers have occupied its pulpit. For 176 years it was the only church in Dorchester where the church was religion and religion was law. Its authority in civic and personal matters was powerful. In 1688, Consider Atherton was "admonished" for his inconsiderate appetite. Others were admonished for wearing jewelry and ornamented clothing. The unbending devotion to the will of God, the courageous acceptance of perilous living and the stern adherence to duty of these men of faith and prayer have left a heroic heritage. May the faith and power that guided them still guide us through the coming years.

Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 01/01/1897 Age of Church building determined by?: Historical Society If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: Unitarian Universalist If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Sunday Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: 11:00 AM Street address of Church: 10 Parish St. Boston, MA United States 02122 Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link] Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link] If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: Not listed

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