Built 1840 NRHP Reference # 84002609 Opened 1840 Phone +1 781-438-0097 | Designated CP January 17, 1990 Area 3,238 m² Added to NRHP 13 April 1984 | |
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Address 1 Church St, Stoneham, MA 02180, USA Architectural style Greek Revival architecture Similar First Baptist Church, Stoneham Firestation, Caleb Wiley House, Almshouse | ||
The First Congregational Church is an historic church located at 1 Church Street (corner of Main Street) in Stoneham, Massachusetts. Built in 1840, it is a fine local example of Greek Revival architecture, and is a landmark in the town center. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 13, 1984. The church is affiliated with the United Church of Christ; the current pastor is the Rev. Meredith Allen.
Description and history
Stoneham's First Congregation Church is set on the east side of Main Street (Massachusetts Route 28), just north of the town common, which is across Church Street. The main sanctuary is a rectangular wood frame building, with a gable roof and a brick foundation. The front facade, facing west, is flushboarded, while the remaining sides are clapboarded. The main facade is divided into three bays by Doric pilasters, each bay having an entrance at the ground level with a window above. The pilasters support an entablature that extends around the sides of the building, with a fully pedimented gable end above. The pediment has a triangular window at its center. The tower rises from the ridge line near the front, with a plain square stage rising to a louvered belfry stage and an octagonal spire. Modern facilities are added to the rear of the building.
The church congregation was organized in 1726; this, its third sanctuary, was built in 1840 after the second one burned. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, and was included as part of the Central Square Historic District in 1990. It is the meeting location of Boy Scout Troop 513.