First Church of Christ, Unitarian
Encyclopedia
First Church of Christ, Unitarian, also known as First Church of Christ, Lancaster and Lancaster Church, is an historic congregation located at 725 Main Street facing the Common in Lancaster
, Massachusetts
. Its fifth meeting house, built in 1816, was designed by noted architect, Charles Bulfinch
. On December 30, 1970, it was added the National Register of Historic Places
and designated a National Historic Landmark
. In May 2010, the Church began a restoration.
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First Church of Christ was "gathered in 1653 by the Puritans of Massachusetts Bay Colony
." The town of Lancaster also dates from 1653. The current meeting house is its fifth. It was built between 1815 and 1817 of local brick and slate and was designed by Charles Bulfinch, famed as architect of the Massachusetts State House
and one of the architects of the United States Capitol
.
Originally a Congregational church
, it is now Unitarian Universalist. The Reverend Paul Hall is its current minister.
Lancaster, Massachusetts
Lancaster is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, in the United States. Incorporated in 1653, Lancaster is the oldest town in Worcester County...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. Its fifth meeting house, built in 1816, was designed by noted architect, Charles Bulfinch
Charles Bulfinch
Charles Bulfinch was an early American architect, and has been regarded by many as the first native-born American to practice architecture as a profession....
. On December 30, 1970, it was added the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
and designated a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
. In May 2010, the Church began a restoration.
History
Massachusetts Bay Colony
The Massachusetts Bay Colony was an English settlement on the east coast of North America in the 17th century, in New England, situated around the present-day cities of Salem and Boston. The territory administered by the colony included much of present-day central New England, including portions...
." The town of Lancaster also dates from 1653. The current meeting house is its fifth. It was built between 1815 and 1817 of local brick and slate and was designed by Charles Bulfinch, famed as architect of the Massachusetts State House
Massachusetts State House
The Massachusetts State House, also known as the Massachusetts Statehouse or the "New" State House, is the state capitol and house of government of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is located in Boston in the neighborhood Beacon Hill...
and one of the architects of the United States Capitol
United States Capitol
The United States Capitol is the meeting place of the United States Congress, the legislature of the federal government of the United States. Located in Washington, D.C., it sits atop Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall...
.
Originally a Congregational church
Congregational church
Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing Congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently and autonomously runs its own affairs....
, it is now Unitarian Universalist. The Reverend Paul Hall is its current minister.