Union Congregational Churchof the Merrimack and Powow rivers on Main Street in Amesbury,...

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Property Name Union Congregational Church State: __Massachusetts _______________________________________________ County: __Essex_____________________________________________ Reference Number: __14000894____________________________________ Multiple Context (if applicable): ___________

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1) The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, Section 304[16

U.S.C. 470w-3(a), confidentiality of the location of sensitive historic

resources; 16 U.S.C. 470w-3(b), Access Determination; 16 U.S.C. 470w-3(c),

Consultation with the Advisory Council];

2) The Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979, as amended rPublic '

Law 96-95; 16 U.S.C. 470aa-mm; with special attention to Section 9

subsections a and b in their entirety]; /

3) The National Parks Omnibus Act of 1988, Section 207 (1 and 2);

4) 36 CFR 800.6(5) and 36 CFR800.11(c);

5) Department of the Interior Departmental Manual (519 DM 2);

6) National Park Service Management Policies 2006, Section 5.1.1;

7) Director's Order 28, Secti~n Sa;

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,;

NPS Form 10-900 0MB Na. 1024-0018

United States Department of the Interior National Park Service

National Register of Historic Places Registration Form This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts. See instructions in National Register Bulletin, How to Complete the National Register of His/oric Places Registration Form. If any item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "NIA" for "not applicable." For functions, architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions.

1. Name of Property Historic name: Union Evangeiical Church of Amesbury and Salisbury Other names/site number:· Union Congregational Chw·ch (Preferred) Name ofrelated multiple property listing:

NIA (Enter "NIA" if property is not part of a multiple property listing

2. Location Street & number: 350-354 Main Street _ _,.::;;..:....::c.....::..;::.....!...e..:.c::=::....:=.===---------------------City or tmvn: Amesbury State: MA County: Essex Not For Publication: D Vicinity: D 3. State7Federal Agency Certification

As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended,

I hereby certify that this L nomination _ request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60.

In my opinion, the property ./ meets _ does not meet the National Register Criteria. I recommend that this property be considered significant at the following level(s) of significance:

_national _statewide ,L.local Applicable National Register Criteria:

/A _B /c _D

Signature of certifying officialffitle: Brona Simon, SHPO Date

State or Federal agency/bureau or Tribal Government

In my opinion, the property _meets_ does not meet the National Register criteria.

-Signature of commenting official:

Title :

1

Date

State or Federal agency/bureau or Tribal Government

National Park Service I National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 0MB No. 1024-0018

Union Congregational Church Name of Property

4. N· tional Park Service Certification

I h eby certify that this property is:

entered in the National Register

_ determined eligible for the National Register

_ determined not eligible for the National Register

_ removed from the National Register

_ other (explain:)

5. Classification

Ownership of Property

(Check as many boxes as apply.)

Private:

Public - Local

Public - State

Public - Federal

Category of Property

(Check only one box.)

Building(s)

:District

Site

Structure

0 D D D

0 D D D

Sections 1-6 page 2

Essex, MA County and State

I ·S· J Date of Action

United· States Department of the Interior National Park Service/ National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 0MB No. 1024-0018

Union Congregational Church Essex, MA Name of Property County and State

Object

D

Sections 1-6 page 3

United States Department of the Interior National Park Service/ National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 0MB No. 1024-0018


Number of Resources within Property (Do not include previously listed resources in the count)

Contributing Noncontributing 1 1

0 0

0 0

0 0

1 1


buildings

sites

structures

objects

Total

Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register ___ n=o=n=e'-----

6. Function or Use

Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions.) RELIGION/Religious facility

Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions.) RELIGION/Religious facility

Sections 1-6 page 4

United States Department of the Interior _ National Park Service/ National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 0MB No. 1024-0018


7. Description

Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions.) MID-19th CENTURY/Greek Revival

Materials: ( enter categories from instructions.)


Portions redacted

Principal exterior materials of the property: Wood Clapboards, Granite foundation, asphalt shingle roofing

Narrative Description (Describe the historic and current physical appearance and condition of the property. Describe contributing and noncontributing resources if applicable. Begin with a summary paragraph that briefly describes the general characteristics of the property, such as its location, type, style, method of construction, setting, size, and significant features. Indicate whether the property has historic integrity.)

Summary Paragraph

For the purposes of this narrative, the Union Congregational Church, historically called the Union Evangelical Church, will be referred to by its current name throughout the nomination.

The Greek Revival-style, two-by-three-bay, wood-frame Union Congregational Church stands near the confluence of the Merrimack and Powow rivers on Main Street in Amesbury, Massachusetts. Built in 1835, the church is 2V:i stories tall and topped with a three-tiered steeple (photo 1 ). A George Holbrook bell hangs from the second tier of the steeple.1 Attached to the church are: the vestry, built in 1864; the wing, built ca.1892; and a small hyphen that connects the wing to the church (figure 2). Greek Revival elements, which can be seen throughout the building, include the front-gabled form, the bold corner pilasters, and the trabeated door surrounds (photo 6). The church retains integrity and is a well-preserved, modest example of its style and type. One noncontributing resource, a modern shed, stands in a parking lot to the north behind the vestry.

1Union Evangelical Church Centennial 1835-1935 (Amesbury, Massachusetts:1936). Courtesy of Amesbury Public Library Archives.

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United States Department of the Interior National Park Service I National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 0MB No. 1024-0018


Narrative Description

Location & Setting


Situated at the junction of the Merrimack and Powow rivers, the Union Congregational Church is located on lower Main Street, on the eastern side of the Powow River Bridge (figure 1). The south-facing facade of the church is separated from Main Street only by the width of a sidewalk. To the north of the church is a parking lot, accessed by a narrow driveway that runs along the eastern elevation of the church. Trees and brush surround the back edges of the parking lot, and continue down to the Powow River embankment on the western side. The total size of the property is 1.62 acres, and it is comprised of three separate lots (figure 14). Union Congregational Church stands on 3 50 Main Street (lot 20), which encompasses a total of 0.3 8 acres. To the north of the church is lot 21 (3 52 Main Street #R), which is 0.929 acres of land extending west to the banks of the Powow River and north towards, but not reaching, the Powow River at the bend. Lot 22 (354 Main Street) is located to the west of lots 20 and 21, and contains a total of 0.31 acres of land. Located to the west of the vestry's south fayade is a fence that serves to protect pedestrians from slipping down the embankment after crossing the Powow River Bridge (photo 1 ). The bridge itself is owned by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, and the fence, which is not church property, appears to be a continuation of that bridge.

The neighborhood surrounding Union Congregational Church is composed of both residential and commercial buildings. To the west of the church, across the Powow River, is a large marina. Further west is the water treatment plant for the Town of Amesbury. Directly across the street from the church to the south, the Revolutionary War frigate USS Alliance was built on property now called Alliance Park. The park overlooks the Merrimack River, with a commanding view of Maudslay State Park directly across the river. Heading east down Main Street, one enters a primarily residential area. The majority of houses lining the street are from the late 181

h

to mid 19th centuries, with a few 20th_ and 21 s1-century houses sprinkled throughout. Known as Point Shore, the area is potentially eligible for listing as a National Register historic district.

A half mile down Main Street to the east is Lowell's Boat Shop, the oldest continuously operating wooden-boat building shop in the United States. Established in 1793, Lowell's Boat Shop is the birthplace of the legendary fishing dory, and it is a National Historic Landmark (1990).

Both the Powow and Merrimack rivers were integral to the development of industry within Amesbury. Further upstream, the Powow River flows through and under downtown Amesbury, and once powered the machinery of textile mills, shoe factories, and factories that produced Amesbury's signature carriages and sleighs.

Exterior

CHURCH The church is a rectangular-plan, two-by-three-bay, 21/2-story, wood-frame, front-gabled building, containing approximately 2,370 square feet. A combination of a cut-stone granite and irregular-course stone foundation supports the church, which "is clad in wooden clapboards. Greek Revival-style paneled pilasters trim the corners of the fayade and rise to support a deep cornice return, topped by wide gable trim. Asphalt shingles cover the gable roof.

The faiyade (photo 2) is dominated by two large, Greek Revival-style doorways. Paired, five-paneled double doors each reside under a bold, trabeated entablature that rests on pilasters and encloses sidelights consisting of four single panes on paneled bases. A modern addition of a wooden handicap accessibility ramp leads up to the easternmost entry door on the fayade. Above each door is a large, tripartite window. These feature four pilasters that echo those in the doors below. The window openings are filled with paired, 4/4, double-hung sash, topped with inset wooden fans, and flanked by six-pane sidelights. An additional Junette fan graces the peak of the gable-front fayade. None of the fans appear to have any glazing.

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Atop the ridgeline of the south end of the church roof is a three-tiered steeple (photo 5). The tower is a plain, square, wooden-clapboarded base, topped with a thick decorative cornice that juts out slightly. A very small, 3/3, fixed-pane window sits above the ridge line of the roof on the north side of the tower. The age of the window is unknown, but it does not appear to be modern. The belfry is square, with an archway on each side. Each archway is decorated with square pilasters, supporting the paneled outlining on the top of each arch. Pilasters also support a wide band of trim underneath a thick cornice. The octagonal-shaped lantern above features eight louvered openings, flanked by pilasters. Decorative inset rectangles can be seen above and below the louvered openings. A thick cornice tops the lantern, which is capped by a hexagonal dome. On top of the dome is a ball, topped by the tall steeple cross, and finally capped by a banner weathervane.

The east elevation of the church features three large, evenly spaced, round-arch windows (photo 3). Each of these original windows is comprised of two narrow, 6/6, double-hung sash, and the entire window is surrounded by square pilasters that support an inset wooden fan above.

On the rear (north) elevation of the church (photo 4), the gable trim and cornice return are not as pronounced as on the fa9ade of the building. A small, 1/1, double-hung replacement window sits under the gable, directly above a narrow, rectangular-shaped projection supported by cinderblocks. This projection reflects the altar inside the church, and the sides of it are just wide enough to each contain a narrow, 4/4, double-hung, stained-glass window (on the east and west). Next to the north side of the projection stands a narrow, brick chimney that rises above the rootline.

The west elevation of the church (photo 1) mirrors the east elevation, with three large, identical, original windows marching across the side. A small hyphen links the church to the wing, which then connects to the vestry building. The hyphen, and a small wooden bulkhead located on the basement level of this elevation, are the only differences between the west and east elevations of the church.

HYPHEN Connecting the church to the wing is a one-by-one-bay hyphen (photo 7), standing one story tall and containing approximately 20 square feet. The hyphen has a concrete foundation, clapboard siding on the south fa9ade, and vertical wooden boards for siding on the north elevation, where it contains a small, 6/6, double-hung window, which does not appear to be modern. The construction date of the hyphen is unknown.

WING Attached to the west elevation of the hyphen is the wing (photos 4, 7, 8), built ca. 1892. Up until 1892, it is believed that there was a horseshed in the space between the church and vestry buildings. The shed was removed to build the wing.2 Containing approximately 588 square feet, the wing is a three-by-one-bay, one-story building, with a brick foundation, clapboard siding, and a low-pitched, asphalt-shingle roof. Wedged between the hyphen and the vestry, the wing has three 6/6, double-hung original windows with simply decorated surrounds marching across the south fa9ade. Cornerboards along the edges of the building rise to a simple cornice. On the north elevation of the wing, a modern metal door with a narrow window is located at the top of a wooden, handicapped-accessible ramp. To the west of the door are two 6/6, double-hung original windows. The wing connects to the vestry on the west elevation.

VESTRY Built in 1864, the Eli-story, two-by-two-bay, gable-roofed building (photos 1, 7, 8) contains approximately 726 square feet. It has a brick foundation on the south fa9ade, on the corner of the east elevation where the vestry meets the wing, and on a small portion of the north elevation where the vestry meets the wing. The foundation is

2 "History of Union Evangelical Church being the Historical Address delivered by Hon. Charles I. Pettingell at the Centennial of the Church," October 14, 1935.

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painted concrete block along the entire west elevation, including all portions of the bathroom projection, and also on the north elevation. Painted concrete block indicates an alteration to the building in the 201

h century, but the precise date is unknown.

The exterior is clad in wooden clapboards and the roof is covered with asphalt shingle. The south fac;ade features two 6/6, double-hung, original windows, encased in a simple surround, located at the east and west edges of the fac;ade. A triangular, clapboarded opening with thick trim mirrors the gable front above it. Corner pilasters rise to a cornice with partial returns at the gable ends.

The east elevation features a six-paneled door encased in a simple surround, with four fixed sidelights (composed of an unknown, non-glass material), and flat trim, and above which projects a small decorative overhang. The wing connects to the vestry on the east elevation of the building.

On the north elevation, two 6/6, double-hung, original windows are symmetrically placed below a double-hung replacement sash under the gable. Very thin trim runs up the edge of the vestry, to the flat cornice return.

The west elevation of the vestry features a small, original casement window with six fixed panes on the basement level (photo 8). There is also evidence of a basement door that has been filled in with painted concrete blocks. On the first floor, there are two windows: a 3/3, double-hung, original window with a simple surround, and a modern, two-pane, sliding replacement window. The northernmost portion of the west elevation features a small, shed-roof addition that houses the restrooms for the church. This projecting restroom rests on a painted concreteblock foundation, indicating that it was a later addition to the building. Narrow, 3/3, double-hung windows are found on the north elevation of the restroom. The west elevation of the restroom is plain, with no windows. The south elevation of the restroom mirrors the north elevation, with an identical narrow, 3/3, double-hung window.

SHED Located in the parking lot to the north of the church is a small, modern shed (photos 3, 4), which was installed less than ten years ago ( figure 1 ). The building is rectangular in shape and almost one story tall. The shed rests on an unknown foundation, is clad with vinyl siding, and is topped with an asphalt roof. There is a large garage door with a ramp on the north elevation. The east elevation features a four-paneled door with three faux wroughtiron strap hinges. Flanking the door on either side are two small, 4/4, double-hung windows. Each window is decorated with shutters, and has a window box below it. The shed is noncontributing due to its age.

Interior

CHURCH Prior to entering the main sanctuary space, one enters a small entry hall (photo 9). This space, in the south section of the church, is constricted by a large circular wall with a tiny window in it, which curves outward toward the front exterior doors, creating a narrow hallway. On the east end of the hallway, there is a small storage closet and also a stair closet leading to the second-floor loft area. On the west end of the hallway, there is a stair closet leading to the second-floor loft area, and also a separate stair closet leading to a basement crawl space.

The stairs up to the loft area are quite narrow, and are hidden behind a door. The loft (photo 11) spans the width of the church, and has a wooden floor. A knee-high wooden wall runs the width of the sanctuary space, and is made taller by T-shaped metal poles, from which fabric curtains hang. When examining where the floor level begins at the top of the stairs, it is evident that the baseboard level does not match the current stairs, indicating that the original floor was lower by at least the height of one step or more, which would, in effect, raise the height of the loft wall.

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Back down the stairs to the entry hall, directly in front of each set of main exterior entrance doors, are the double doors that lead into the sanctuary. The doors appear to be covered in leather and decorated with metal studs. The sanctuary space is divided into three rows of pews, with two side aisles leading to the altar (photo 10). About three-quarters of the way down the aisle to the altar are metal grates cut into the wooden floor and set in granite (photo 12). These delicately carved grates, which have a floral or rose design, are heat registers through which warm air rises into the sanctuary.

Looking from inside the sanctuary toward the entry (south) wall are three door openings trimmed in carved moldings with rosettes at the upper comers (photo 11 ). The two outer door openings house the two double doors to the front entry hall. The middle door opening is wider and composed of two narrow, paneled, bi-fold doors. This middle door opening leads to a semicircular alcove, which now houses books and electronic equipment. The projecting, circular side of this alcove can be seen from the entry hall leading to the sanctuary on the south side. Directly in front of the larger middle door is a tall, slender support column, which runs all the way up to the tin ceiling. Above the door openings on the south wall is the loft space described earlier. Two partially covered windows can be seen above the loft space on the south wall as well. Originally these windows were probably seen in their entirety, from top to bottom, yet with the addition of the coved tin ceiling (photo 13) to the sanctuary space in 1873, half of these windows were covered up by the curve of the lower section of the ceiling, which extends partway down the wall. Fenestration is regular on the east wall of the sanctuary, featuring three large windows, each of which is comprised of paired, 6/6, double-hung sash. The windows are trimmed in curved, decorative moldings with rosettes at the upper comers.

An exterior rectangular projection in the north wall of the sanctuary holds the altar space (photo 10). This projection is topped with an elliptical arch and decorated with flanking, stained-glass windows. One step down from the altar, the highest point on the sanctuary floor, is the next floor level. This level spans the width of the sanctuary and features two wide steps down at both the east and west walls. Waist-height, carved woodwork serves to create a partition between the side stairs mentioned previously and the open, projecting center aisle of the altar area. These fences end in the center aisle, creating an unobstructed view down the center of the sanctuary. Lastly, two wide, curved steps project out further from this center aisle and bring the entire altar construction down to the main-floor level. On the west wall of the sanctuary, fenestration mirrors that of the east wall, with the addition of a small exit door, which leads from the sanctuary into the hyphen, and further connects with the wing and vestry.

HYPHEN Walking through a door in the west wall from the sanctuary, there are several steps down to the hyphen, which has one small, 6/6, double-hung window on the north elevation. This hyphen is tiny, and presumably serves only to connect the wing and vestry buildings to the sanctuary. Its construction year is unknown. A door on the west elevation of the hyphen connects it to the wing.

WING Through a doorway on the west elevation of the hyphen, one enters the wing (photo 14, 15), located between the hyphen and vestry. This rectangular wing, with a dropped ceiling, features three 6/6, double-hung sash along the south elevation, and two 6/6, double-hung sash along the north elevation. The north elevation also has a handicapped-accessible exit door with an outside ramp leading down to the parking lot. The east elevation is shared with the hyphen and does not contain any windows. The west elevation is shared with the vestry building; where the wing and vestry meet, the length of the wall has been opened up, creating one large room from the two spaces.

VESTRY The vestry has been divided in half into two spaces (photo 15), from the exterior south wall to about four feet in from where the vestry and exterior south walls of the wing meet. A wall extends along the aforementioned point,

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dividing the vestry in half from the east to the west. The room closest to Main Street (south) has become a kitchen (photo 16), with large appliances able to meet the demands of a congregation. The room closest to the parking lot (north) features windows with two 6/6, double-hung sash on the exterior north wall, and one identical window on the west wall. This room provides more space for gathering, as it connects to the wing. Doors for tiny restrooms are located at the west wall of the vestry (photo 15). On the interior north wall, the kitchen is accessed by a door located at the corner of this wall and the west wall. Also on the interior north wall is a passthrough opening into the kitchen, most likely for making serving easier during events.

The south vestry room has been subdivided further by a narrow hallway that runs from the exterior, south wall of the vestry to the interior, north wall of the vestry. This provides access to the basement, and also is a means of accessing the main gathering area without passing through the kitchen. A small doorway where the vestry and wing meet on the south/east corner of the wing provides passage.

Changes Since Construction

CHURCH Since its original construction in 1835, the church has undergone some changes. A bell was added to the steeple in December 1851. During 1873, "thorough repairs were made upon the Meeting-house, inside and outside."3

Projects included the removal of the original box pews, which were replaced by the current pews, and the addition of the impressive tin ceiling. In the summer of 1884, a new pipe organ was installed in the church, and Mrs. A. L. Bayley presented the church with a new carpet.4 (Figure 3 depicts the church interior in April of 1884.) It is believed that the floor in the loft space was raised at some point. The pipe organ (figure 4) was damaged by the flood of 1936, and was subsequently removed. Light fixtures were added to the base and belfry of the steeple (photo 5), and a single lamp was added to the corner of the north and east walls on the north elevation; dates of these additions are unknown. Window shutters (seen in figures 5, 7, 9, 10) were removed in 2001-2002 when the church was painted. The balustrade (figures 5-7, 9,10), which used to rim the belfry, was taken down sometime between 1982 and 1985. Additionally, a handicapped-accessible ramp has been added to the front of the church (photo 2).

HYPHEN, WING, and VESTRY In 1864, "there was presented to the Church and Society, by Mr. Abner L. Bayley, a very neat Chapel for social religious meetings."5 Mr. Bayley's generosity would continue, and in 1866 he donated "a very valuable parsonage" to the church as well.6 The interior of the vestry space has been modernized, with the addition of a kitchen and bathrooms to better accommodate patrons. Between the sanctuary and vestry is said to have originally been a horseshed, up until 1892, when the shed was removed and the wing was built to connect the church and vestry.7 Inside the vestry, a wall between the wing and vestry has been knocked down, creating a more open floor plan and larger space to be used for meetings, fundraisers, suppers, etc. (photos 14, 15). A chimney once located on the east slope of the vestry roof is now gone (figure 5). A handicapped-accessible ramp has been added to the rear of the wing, to provide accessibility to the building (photo 4 ).

Condition

CHURCH

3Historical Sketch. Rules. and Form of Admission of the Union Evangelical Church. Amesbury, Mass. 1886. 4Ibid. . 5Historical Sk tch. Rules. and Form of Admission ofth Union Evangelical Church, Amesbury. Mass. 1886. 6Ibid. 7

"History of Union Evangelical Church being the Historical Address delivered by Hon. Charles I. Pettingell at the Centennial of the Church," October 14, 1935.

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Though it was recently fixed in certain places, the tin ceiling in the sanctuary is still in need of repair. Many of the sections have peeling paint, while other areas display brown spots that may have been caused by water damage. A few sections of the ceiling also seem to be separating from their surrounding tiles. The roof on the church was recently replaced. Along the building, peeling paint and wood rot seem to be common issues. All of the windows on the east and west elevations and the two windows on the south fayade have been recently restored.

HYPHEN, WING, and VESTRY The exterior of the vestry building and wing is in need of repair, as the wood is rotted in some places and paint is peeling around the building. The roof on the wing was recently replaced.

Archaeological Description

The Union Congregational Chu~ch is located in a documented locus of ancient Native American settlement. With the Merrimack River and its tributaries as their focus, Native Americans lived in and exploited a wide variety of ecosystems and their floral, fauna!, and mineral resources from the Atlantic Ocean to the interior uplands of northern Vermont. Since the 19th century, and possibly earlier, amateur archaeologists, professional archaeologists, and artifact collectors have also focused their efforts on this area, with hundreds of recorded sites and numerous studies completed. Ten Native sites are recorded in the general area (within one mile),

Informants said the area had been scraped of loam and then filled before construction of the marina. The site area was probably destroyed. Underreporting is also characteristic of ancient sites in the Amesbury locale.

Environmental characteristics of the church property represent locational criteria (slope, soil drainage, proximity to wetlands) that are favorable for the presence of Native sites. The church is located on a well-drained, level to moderately sloping riverine floodplain terrace, in close proximity to the confluence of the Powow and Merrimack rivers. Soil types in the area are represented by fine, sandy loam, found on old lakebeds and formed in glaciolaucustrine deposits. Wetlands in the area include the Powow River, which forms most of the northern and western boundaries of the nomination; the Merrimack River, located within 1,000 feet of the church to the south and east; and a wetland area in the western portion of the nominated property, near the Powow River. The entire area lies within the Merrimack River drainage.

Given the above information, the size of the nominated property (1.62 acres), and known patterns of Native American settlement and subsistence in the Merrimack River drainage,

A high potential exists for locating historic archaeological resources on the church property. Additional documentary research, combined with archaeological survey and testing of the area surrounding the church, may locate structural evidence of barns, stables, carriage houses, and outbuildings. It is believed that there was a horseshed in the space between the church and the vestry buildings up until 1892. The shed was removed to build the wing attached to the west elevation of the hyphen. Evidence of additional sheds may also exist.

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United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 0MB No. 1024-0018


Archaeological evidence of occupational-related features (trash pits, privies, wells) may also be found in areas surrounding the church. Artifact distributions from items lost or discarded during church functions may be present. Builder's trenches and construction features associated with the extant church may also be present No evidence is present that indicates a specific historic land use of the property prior to construction of the church in 1835.

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8. Statement of Significance

Applicable National Register Criteria (Mark "x" in one or more boxes for the criteria qualifying the property for National Register listing.)

D 0

D

A. Property is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history.

B. Property is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past.

C. Property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack individual distinction.

D. Property has yielded, or is likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.

Criteria Considerations (Mark "x" in all the boxes that apply.)

0 A. Owned by a religious institution or used for religious purposes

D B. Removed from its original location

D C. A birthplace or grave

D D. A cemetery

D E. A reconstructed building, object, or structure

D F. A commemorative property

D G. Less than 50 years old or achieving significance within the past 50 years

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Areas of Significance (Enter categories from instructions.)

Architecture Social History Religion

Period of Significance 1835-1964

Significant Dates 1864 - vestry added 1892 - wing added

Significant Person (Complete only if Criterion Bis marked above.)

Cultural Affiliation

Architect/Builder George Handel Holbrook (bell)

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Statement of Significance Summary Paragraph (Provide a summary paragraph that includes level of significance, applicable criteria, justification for the period of significance, and any applicable criteria considerations.)

Dedicated December 31, 183 5, the Union Congregational Church, originally called the Union Evangelical Church of Amesbury and Salisbury, is located at the junction of the Powow and Merrimack rivers in the Salisbury Point neighborhood of Amesbury, Massachusetts. For purposes of this narrative, the current name of the church will be used throughout the docmnent.

The two-story, wood-frame, Greek Revival-style Union Congregational Church has been an important presence on a prominent site in the Salisbury Point neighborhood of Amesbury for nearly 180 years. It meets National Register Criterion A as an institution that is associated with the development of Salisbury Point in the first half of the 191

h century. It also meets National Register Criterion C as a well-preserved and representative example of a modest Greek Revival-style church. The church meets Criterion Consideration A as a religious property that derives its primary significance from its architectural and historical significance. The Union Congregational Church retains integrity of location, setting, design, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association, and is significant on the local level. The period of significance begins with the dedication of the church in 1835 and ends in 1964, which is the standard SO-year cut-off established by the National Park Service to provide adequate time for the building to be considered in an objective historical context.

Narrative Statement of Significance (Provide at least one paragraph for each area of significance.)

Historical Overview

The Union Congregational Church was built in a portion of Amesbury that was originally part of neighboring Salisbury. The town of New Salisbury was incorporated in 1666, and included a section of Salisbury that extended west of the Powow River. In 1668, the name of New Salisbury was changed to "Emesbury." The present boundaries of Amesbury were extended easterly across the Powow River by annexing sections of Salisbury in 1844 and again in 1886. In 1876, "By chapter 131 of the Acts of 1876 the western portion of the town of Amesbury was incorporated as the town of Merrimac."8

The Powow and Merrimack rivers have been central to the development of Amesbury. Major maritime industries including fishing, shipbuilding, and shipping were important to the commerce of the town up until the War of 1812. Just down the street from the church is Lowell's Boat Shop (NR/NHL), the oldest continuously operating wooden boatbuilding shop in the country, established in 1793. Prior to the War of 1812, shops and buildings related to the maritime industry lined the shores of the Merrimack River, and helped to contribute to the increased growth and population density in that area. 9 The Powow River also served as a great source of industry. According to the Amesbury Reconnaissance Repmt, "Textile mills were built along the falls of the Powow River beginning in 1812 and assumed an increasingly important role in Amesbury's economy during the 19th century, moving the commercial and civic center of the community inland along the Powow River." 10 In 1800, the first

8Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Harbor and Land Commission, Atlas of the Boundaries of the Cities of Gloucester and Newburyport and Towns of Amesbury. Essex. Georgetown. Groveland, Hamilton. Ipswich. Manchester. Merrimac. Newbury. Rockport, Rowley, Salisbmy. Topsfield. Wenham. West Newbury. (Essex County: 1905), Registry of Deeds, Southern Essex District, Salem, Massachusetts, Folio B, Town Boundary Survey. 9 Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Amesbury Reconnaissance Report, Essex County Landscape Inventory, Massachusetts Heritage Landscape Inventory Program, May 2005. <http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/histland/reconReports/amesbury.pdt>. 10 Ibid.

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carriage business was started in West Amesbury by a woodworker named Michael Emery and his partner, William Little, who was a plater. Amesbury achieved world renown for its finely crafted carriages, earning it the nickname of "Carriagetown." 11

Point Shore, or Salisbury Point as it is also called, is a section of land located at the junction of the Merrimack and Powow rivers. The Union Congregational Church stands at the heart of this point (figure 11), with the Powow River as its northern and western boundaries. Main Street runs south from the center of town, banks east across the Powow River, and runs through Salisbury Point and along the Merrimack River (figure 12).

To the west of Salisbury Point is a section of Amesbury that was once called the Ferry District, named for the ferry service that ran from what is presently the Amesbury Town Landing, across the Merrimack River, to what is now Old Ferry Road in Newburyport.

Interstate 495 was completed in 1967, and runs behind the church to the north. 12 With the addition of the new, large highway, plus on and off ramps, the course of the Powow River was changed as it headed out to the Merrimack. Buildings on either side of Main Street where the highway now cuts through have been lost.

Criterion A: Social History

The roads and river played a key role in the development of the neighborhoods surrounding Salisbury Point. In looking at historic maps from 1854 and 1872, one can see that the houses were clustered along Main Street and followed it along the Merrimack River (figures 11 & 12). An historic photo (figure 6) further supports this claim, showing the density of houses along Main Street, which were built right on the road edges. This dense settlement occurred along the river because the livelihood of many residents was tied to shipping, boatbuilding, and other maritime industries. 13

The First Church in Amesbury has also been referred to as the East Parish in Amesbury, and more commonly, as the Sandy Hill Church. Though no longer extant, the Sandy Hill Church was last located at the corner of presentday Haverhill Road and Highland Street in Amesbury. In 1757, the lot on Sandy Hill was purchased for the construction of the new meetinghouse. Prior to that location at Sandy Hill, the East Parish had erected its meetinghouse in 1715, "on the corner near Geo. W. Bartlett's, (Edward Hunt's, then)." 14 It was not until 1761 that the East Parish was able to move to the new site on Sandy Hill. Facing competition from newly built churches, the Sandy Hill meetinghouse soon became obsolete. Its congregation dwindled and the meetinghouse was demolished in 1848.

The Second Church, also known as the Rocky Hill Church, was also established ca.1716 in the West Parish of Salisbury, which was annexed to Amesbury in 1886. Jn 1785 a new meetinghouse was built; it is extant at 4 Old Portsmouth Road in Amesbury. [Since 1942, the Rocky Hill Meeting House has been owned by Historic New England; it was listed in the National Register in 1972.)

St. .Tames Episcopal Church (120 Main Street), located in the Mills section of town, was organized in 1827 .15

Main Street Congregational Church, presently located at 145 Main Street in downtown Amesbury, was

11 Merrill, Joseph, History of Amesbury. including the First Seventeen Years of Salisbury, to the Separation in 1654: and Merrimac, from its Incorporation in 1876, p. 316, From <books.google.com> 12 "Interstate 495 Corridor Transportation Study," June 2008. <http://www.mass.gov> 13 Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, "Amesbury Reconnaissance Report." <http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/histland/reconReports/amesbury.pdf>. 14 Merrill, Joseph, p. 244. 15 Ibid. p. 342.

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incorporated in 1828 as the Congregational Society at the Mills. 16 The organization of the Congregational church of Salisbury and Amesbury Mills was completed on December 6, 1831. The Congregational Church of Salisbury and Amesbury Mills is the present Main Street Congregational Church.

The Union Evangelical Church (now known as the Union Congregational Church) was officially organized on October 14, 1835, and included members from other churches within Salisbury and Amesbury. Out of the original 28 organizers of the church, eleven members hailed from the First Church in Amesbury, while fifteen came from the Second Church in Salisbury. 17 According to Merrill, "The new meeting-house at Salisbury Point was raised September 1st and dedicated December 31 81 [1835], when Rev. John Gunnison was installed pastor." Merrill continued: "The society adopted the title of 'Union Evangelical Church of Salisbury and Amesbury,' and is largely composed of Amesbury peopk."18

Members offered several reasons for needing a new church at Salisbury Point. In general, they could worship at the Congregational Church, at the Sandy Hill Church, or at the Rocky Hill Church. Out of those choices of churches, none was conveniently located for those living at Salisbury Point. In addition, the Sandy Hill and Rocky Hill Churches were both suffering difficult times in 1835, and according to one account, "as they now exist, they are weak and inefficient (and without great sacrifice on the part of individuals), are unable constantly to maintain Religious worship." 19 For monetary reasons, those two churches united to create a more sustainable membership. It was said that a certain number of individuals had withheld funding from either one or the other church, but were willing to give money towards the new church," for the promotion of the general good."20

At a July 14, 1835, meeting, a committee of five men was chosen to purchase land and arrange for a suitable meetinghouse to be built upon that site at Salisbury Point. Of those five men chosen, John Colby may have had the most to do with the actual building of the meetinghouse. It is said that he may have even been in charge of the construction. Whoever the builders of the church were, they were able to quickly design and build the meetinghouse in time for a December dedication.21

In 1836, the land on which Union Congregational Church now stands was purchased for a sum of $200 from William J. Boardman of Amesbury. A stipulation of the 1836 deed reads:

16 Ibid .

said premises shall cease to be the property of the said society & shall revert to said Boardman his heirs, executors administrators or assigns with the meeting house thereon standing, whenever in course of time or change of members or opinions the meeting house thereon now standing or such other as may be hereafter erected upon the site of the same, shall not be exclusively occupied as & for an evangelical, or orthodox house of worship as those terms have been understood by the Puritan churches of this land & as they are now understood by the great majority of Congregational churches of this Commonwealth, or in other words, whenever said house or houses shall not be perpetually appropriated to that character of preaching which shall substantially coincide with Dwights Theology or the Westminsters Assembly's shorter chatechism [sic].22

171-l istoricaJ Sketch. Rules. and Form of Admiss ion of the Union Evangelical Church. Amesbury, Mass .• 1886. 18 Merrill, Joseph. History of Amesbury. 19"The Organization of Union Evangelical Parish and Society," Union Evangelical Church Centennial 1835-1935. pp 234, Amesbury Public Library Archives. 20 Ibid. 21 Ibid. 22Deed of Sale from William J. Boardman to Union Evangelical Society of Amesbury & Salisbury, January 18, 1836 (filed February 10, 1836), Essex County, Massachusetts, Deed Book 285, page 13. Registry of Deeds, Southern Essex District, Salem, Massachusetts.

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It is unclear why the land was not purchased until 1836, since the church itself had been built and dedicated in 1835.

An important milestone in the history of the church occurred in 1863-1864 with the generous gift of a vestry by Abner Bayley. Completed in 1864, the vestry provided members with a much-needed meeting space on church grounds, separate from the sanctuary. Though also described in 1864 as "a very neat Chapel for social religious meetings,"23 the vestry served as more of a place for prayer meetings, social gatherings, etc., than as a "chapel" in the way it is known today.

Similar to William Boardman, Abner Bayley also imposed stipulations in his deed for the vestry building, which stated that:

... said Building to be used for moral and religious purposes as a vestry for said Church and Society, and whenever said building shall from any [illegible] cease to be used for the purposes above mentioned by said Church and Society, then said Building shall reve1t to the donor his heirs and assigns.24

In 1866, Abner L. Bayley conveyed a parsonage to the church. Much like the deed to the vestry, the parsonage deed also imposed the stipulation that "whenever perverted from such use by the extinction of the Church it shall revert to the Doner -his heirs and assigns. "25 The parsonage is located at 3 80 Main Street, several doors east of the church. It is no longer owned by the church, as it was sold to a private party on April 30, 1986.26 An affidavit was also signed on that day by the minister, treasurer, collector, and three members of the church, acting as a Board of Directors, reading,

That the condition imposed by one Abner Bayley in his deed to the Church then denominated the Union Evangelical Church of Salisbury and Amesbury denominated Orthodox Congregational and dated March 13, 1866 and recorded with Essex South District Registry of Deeds at Book 699, Page 95 has never been breached, that we are aware of no action undertaken by the original grantor, his heirs, successors or assigns to take possession of the real property described in said deed, and further that we are aware of no statement on record pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 260 section 3 la concerning said right.27

As the church membership grew, the needs of the church grew as well. For example, in 1836, the Sunday school had 53 pupils, but by 1876, it had nearly tripled to 152 pupils. In 1892, a wing was added to the vestry-evidence that with this growing congregation, the church was simply running out of room. By expanding the vestry, the church was able to better meet the needs of its people.28

23 Historical Sketch. Rules, and Form of Admission of the Union Evangelical Church. Amesbury. Mass .• 1886. 24 Deed of Sale from A. L. Bayley to SaJisY & AmesY Union Evang. Ch., February 6, 1864 (filed February 15, 1864), Essex County, Massachusetts, Deed Book 662, page 53. Registry of Deeds, Southern Essex District, Salem, Massachusetts. 25 Deed of Sale from A. L. Bayley to Salis by & Amesby Union Evangelical Church, March 13 , I 866 (filed March 17, 1866), Essex County, Massachusetts, Deed Book 699, page 95 .. Registry of Deeds, Southern Essex District, Salem, Massachusetts . 26 Deed of Sale from Union Congregational Church of Amesbury, Inc. to Ronald Lovett and Katy Helman, April 30, 1986 (filed May 15, 1986), Essex County, Massachusetts, Deed Book 8260, page 484. Registry of Deeds, Southern Essex District, Salem, Massachusetts. 27 Affidavit by Board of Directors of Union Congregational Church of Amesbury, April 30, 1986 (filed May 15, 1986), Essex County, Massachusetts, Deed Book 8260, page 482. Registry of Deeds, Southern Essex District, Salem, Massachusetts. 28

"History of Union Evangelical Church being the Historical Address delivered by Hon. Charles I. Pettingell at the Centennial of the Church," October 14, 1935.

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Tragedy struck the church in 1918, when a coal fire at the Morrill coal wharf threatened the church. Located across the street, where Alliance Park is today, the coal wharf was in close proximity to the church. Heat from the blaze was so intense that firefighters could not cross the Powow River Bridge to extinguish the flames. Instead, they had to come around behind the vestry, and climb up the sanctuary and onto the church roof, behind the steeple. From behind the steeple, the firefighters battled the flames. The total cost of repairs for the fire damage to the church and vestry was about $830, though it is unclear exactly what repairs were made.29

One hundred years after the Union Congregational Church was built, a Centennial Observance was held to honor the historic building and the congregation to whom it owed so much. Lasting from October 12 to15, 1935, the celebration was composed ·of worship and fellowship services, presentations from local speakers, music recitals, and open houses. Judge Charles I. Pettingell gave the historical address on October 14, 1935. Presenting a lengthy history of the church, Pettingell chronicled major events and people associated with the church during its previous 100 years. 30

. · · ·

The following year, in March of 1936, the combination of a cold, snow-filled winter and sudden springtime melting produced substantial flooding in Amesbury. An account by a Point Shore resident detailed the events of the flood, including the damage done to the church.

In common with the other buildings along the shore, the Union Church was visited by the flood . In the church building itself, the water rose to the level of the pew seats on the sides. Some of the pew cushions in the side seats were slightly wet on the bottoms, showing that the pews in the centre stand slightly higher. The pulpit platform was barely above the water. 31

With water "half way up the lowest panes of glass in the lower window sashes and above the keyboard of the piano,"32 the vestry did not manage to escape the floodwaters either. Local residents came to the aid of not only each other, but the church as well. Due to the height of the water, residents had to resort to rowing around the neighborhood in boats (figure 8). Swollen doors kept concerned citizens from entering the church to assess the damage, so they "rowed alongside the church, and they tried various windows, finding that the window on the down-river side nearest Main Street was unlocked. They opened this window and went in through it, fastening the painter of their boat to a pew inside."33 Once inside, the scope of damage was apparent-seat cushions were wet from water reaching up to the pews; books from the Church School library were soaked; the piano was damaged; and various items floated around the church.

The neighborhood and town worked together to clean up after the flood. Works Progress Administration workers were sent out to help heavily affected areas. Using chlorinated lime, the workers, who had been previously inoculated against potential contamination from the flood aftermath, disinfected cellars and helped with general cleanup of the neighborhoods.34 The Flood of 1936 served as a major blow to the towns along the river.

In 1946, three trustees of the Union Congregational Church (Raymond 0. Davis, John A. Wilson, Jr., and Edith W. Pettingell) received two lots of land on Main Street from neighbors Edward and Bertha Davis. These trustees played different roles not only in the church, but the town as well. For example, Raymond 0. Davis was the town treasurer. Amesbury Postmaster John A. Wilson, Jr. was involved through the work of his wife Irene, who was the president of the Willing Workers, a service organization within the church. Edith Pettingell was Judge

29 Ibid. 30 Union Evangelical Church Centennial Observance program. Amesbury, Massachusetts, October 12-15, 1935. 31 "The Merrimac River Flood of 1936" (A Contemporary Account by a Point Shore Resident), courtesy of Bob Labadini. 32 Ibid. 33 Ibid. 34 Ibid.

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Charles Pettingell's wife and very involved herself, as a Sunday School teacher and member of the Willing Workers.

The two lots added were 352 Main Street (rear lot) and what was to become 354 Main Street.35 With the two added lots, the total acreage of the church property reached 1.62 acres and increased the church's presence along Main Street. A parking lot stands on part of those two lots, providing members access to the church and a place for their vehicles.

According to a 1927 Amesbury atlas, Fred M. Goodwin owned the property behind the church (342 Main Street), which fronted the Powow River. 36 Goodwin sold this lot of land to Edward and Bertha Davis in 1938.37 As mentioned above, eight years later, in 1946, the church acquired that large piece of land from the Davises.

As noted above, The Union Congregational Church was originally called the Union Evangelical Church of Salisbury and Amesbury. It is unclear when its name changed to Union Congregational Church. On both an 1854 map (figure 11) and an 1872 map (figure 12), the building is labeled as "Cong. Ch." According to the church website, "Union Congregational Church was the merger of three churches who together joined the United Church of Christ in 1957."

Criterion C: Architecture

The Union Congregational Church is significant to the town of Amesbury for its architecture and also for its surviving George Holbrook bell. A representative example of Greek Revival-style church architecture, Union Congregational Church embodies many elements indicative of that style. The Greek Revival style, seen in the United States from around 1825 until 1860, is derived from the architectural principles of ancient Greece. As the United States' connection with the British declined after the War of 1812, Americans sought a style that was different from the British-influenced, Adam-styled buildings.38 Additionally, a Grecian/Turkish war in 1820, in which modern Greeks fought against Turkish oppressors, was something with which Americans sympathized, and drew their attention more towards Greek style, culture, and architecture.39

Another way in which more Americans became aware of the Greek Revival style of architecture was through patternbooks. In 1797, American Asher Benjamin, a joiner by trade, published a book entitled The Country Builder 's Assistant: Containing a Collection of New Designs of Carpentry and Architecture, Which will be Particularly Useful, to Country Workmen in General. Prior to Benjamin, no American had published an architecture book of this type. The patternbook contained detailed plates that showed how to create many architectural features, such as moldings, cornices, door and window surrounds, etc. Subsequent books, such as The American Builder's Companion, published in 1806, further cemented Benjamin's place in helping to disseminate architecture to the masses. The popularity of the pattern books and the rise of the Greek Revival style coalesced in Benjamin's 1826 edition of The American Builder's Companion, in which he included plates of Greek Revival architectural elements.40

35Deed of Sale from Edward C. Davis & Bertha S. Davis to Davis et al Trs., July 24, 1946 (filed August 1, 1946), Essex County, Massachusetts, Deed Book 3470, page 361. Registry of Deeds, Southern Essex District, Salem, Massachusetts . 361927 Amesbury Atlas, plate 35. Registry of Deeds, Southern Essex District, Salem, Massachusetts. 37Deed of Sale from Frederick N. Goodwin to Edward C. Davis & Bertha S. Davis, May 9, 1938 (filed May 25, 1938), Essex County, Massachusetts, Deed Book 3146, page 39. Registry of Deeds, Southern Essex District, Salem, Massachusetts. 38McAlester, Virginia & Lee, A Field Guide to American Houses (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1984.) 39Garvin, James L., A Building History ofNorthem New England (Hanover: University Press ofNew England, 2001.) 40Garvin, James L., A Building Histmy of Northern New England.

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An adaptation on classic lines and defined proportions, the Greek Revival style incorporates such elements as square or rounded columns/pilasters, wide bands of trim, front-gabled roofs, and elaborate door and window surrounds. Union Congregational Church contains many Greek Revival elements. Square pilasters, with large architrave and frieze components, stretch the full height of the fac;ade and support a large cornice return, topped by wide gable trim (photo 6). In addition, double paired doors with bold entablatures and elaborate surrounds are found on the fac;ade (photo 2). Two large windows with four pilasters serving as mullions also grace the fac;ade (photos 2, 6). The windows suggest a tripartite arrangement comprised of paired, 4/4, double-hung sash, surrounded by six-pane sidelights, and topped with an inset wooden fan. A half-round wooden fan graces the peak of the front-gabled fac;ade (photo 6).

A similar, but more altered, church building can be seen in the East Parish United Methodist Church of Salisbury, MA, built a year prior to the Union Congregational Church. Almost identical in exterior design, the fac;ade of the East Parish church features the same square pilasters, paired entryways, wide cornice trim, paired windows, fans, and front-gabled roof. Even the steeple design is almost indistinguishable between the two churches. The similarities in design of these two churches may be related to the popularity and wide availability of such books as Benjamin's patternbooks. Plates K and L in a reprint of the 1827 edition of his The American Builder's Companion, show elevations for a Greek Revival church. The design is similar to that of Union Congregational Church, yet by no means an exact copy. Benjamin's design is for a larger and more high-style building than the Union Congregational Church, supporting the notion that a local builder might have tailored Benjamin's design to fit the site and meet the needs and budget of the Amesbury congregation. Furthermore, given the similarity of the Salisbury and Amesbury churches, it is likely that they were constructed by the same local builder. Further research may shed light on this theory.

There is a major difference between the two churches, however. The East Parish church features Queen Annestyle windows on the side elevation, while the Union Congregational Church maintains the Greek Revival windows (photo 3). The Queen Anne windows indicate that the Salisbury church was altered in the late 19th century. Thus, of the two churches, the Union Congregational Church has retained the most integrity to the Greek Revival period.

Main Street Congregational Church (145 Main Street), located in present downtown Amesbury, is also designed in the Greek Revival style, and is similar to the Union Congregational Church, but not to the degree of the East Parish church of Salisbury. On the fac;ade, the rectangular-shaped, front-gabled, Main Street Congregational Church has large columns, supporting an overhanging triangular pediment above. A three-tiered steeple rises from a square base at the roofline, much like the Union Congregation Church steeple. Wide bands of trim, typical of the Greek Revival style, accentuate the cornice of this front-gabled church.

Within Amesbury, the Greek Revival style is prevalent not only in church architecture, but in residential architecture as well. Vernacular forms of the classic Greek Revival style are often front-gabled buildings with a side-hall entry, wide bands of trim at the cornice, decorated door and window surrounds, pilasters or columns, or pedimented entryways.

The architecture of Union Congregational Church is important to its surrounding landscape. Nestled among houses dating from the Colonial period onward, the church contributes to the picturesque historic character of this river village. Union Congregational Church, sitting next to the bridge and overlooking the river, is a Salisbury Point landmark.

The Holbrook bell suspended in the belfry of Union Congregational Church was hung in 1851 and weighs 1,043 pounds.41 Cast at the famous Holbrook Bell Foundry in East Medway, Massachusetts, the survival of the bell is a

41 Union Evangelical Church Centennial 1835-1935. Amesbury, Massachusetts. 1936. Courtesy of Amesbury Public Library Section 8 page 21



testament to the fine craftsmanship of a flourishing American business from that time. Founded in 1816 by Major George Holbrook, the Holbrook Bell Foundry "was in reality, though not legally, the successor of the famous Revere bell foundry, as during the years 1816-1820 it was the only establishment of its kind in America."42 Prior to establishing his own business, Holbrook had been apprenticed to Paul Revere, under whom he learned the trades of clockmaking and bellcasting. In 1820 Holbrook's son, George Handel Holbrook, took over the family business, which he ran until 1872. George H. Holbrook is credited with " improving the tone of the casting bells, and changing them from noisy machines to musical instruments."43

Holbrook bells came to be quite well regarded, and as a result, orders for the bells came in from all over the continent. Often entered into exhibitions, Holbrook bells received countless high awards, including:

the grand gold medal from the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanics Association, of Boston, for general superiority and pure musical tone, and this on occasion when the proprietor of the principal rival in the business was President of the Association, and had many bells on exhibit at the same time. On another occasion, the grand gold medal of honor of the American Institute of New York was awarded to the Holbrook foundry for undoubted superiority and general excellence, as compared with the production of others, and for the pure and musical tones and extraordinary vibrations of their bells. In fact the very flattering testimonial from this association, which accompanied the medal, denominated the production of the Holbrook foundry as the standard bells of America, a declaration which the proprietors pointed to with no little pride, holding it, in their estimation, higher than patents of nobility, or of lordly birth. These complimentary testimonials were from leading musical men and mechanics of the country, among whom were Dr. Lowell Mason, Mr. George J. Webb, and James Chickering, Esq., the famous piano manufacturer of Boston.44

An iconic piece of architecture treasured by residents for nearly 180 years, the church has remained active, closing only for extreme circumstances and opening quickly after resolving them. Efforts for its preservation are currently underway, thanks to a group of passionate and dedicated Point Shore/Salisbury Point residents. Their efforts will help preserve the iconic white church on the river for generations to come.

Archaeological Significance

Since patterns of ancient Native American settlement in Amesbury are poorly understood, any surviving sites could be significant. Ancient sites in the church locale may be significant in contributing information on the importance of sites located at the confluence of tributary streams and the Merrimack River. Native American sites in this area may represent a core area and/or seasonal component of a subsistence and settlement strategy that was based on resources and site locations along the coast, the main drainage of the Merrimack River, or at the confluence of the Powow and Merrimack rivers.

Historic archaeological resources described above have the potential to contribute further documentation on 19th -century institutional architecture and related outbuildings in Amesbury and northeastern Massachusetts. Structural evidence from the no-longer-extant horsesheds may contribute information on 19th -century transportation, and how these facilities conformed to the Congregational ideals manifested in the domestic and institutional architecture in Amesbury. Detailed analysis of the contents from occupational-related features may contribute important social, cultural, and economic information on the 19th - and 20th -century parishioners of the

Archives 42 "The Holbrooks & The Holbrook Bell Foundry," The Holbrooks & The Holbrook Bell Foundry. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://medwaylib.org/History/Holbrooks/Holbrooks.htm>. 43Ibid. 44 Ibid.

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church and members of the Amesbury community. Construction features associated with the church may contribute important information relating to methods and techniques of 19th -century church construction, and any changes that have occurred to the structure.

Section 8 page 23



9. Major Bibliographical References

Bibliography (Cite the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form.)

Amesbury Public Library Archives Archives and Collections of the Union Congregational Church. "Assessors Online Database for Amesbury, MA," N.p., n.d .. Web

<http://data.visionappraisal.com/ Amesbury MA/DEFAULT .asp.> "Celebrating Our 175th Anniversary 1835 - 2010," Our History. N.p., n.d. Web.

<http://www.amesburyunion.org/id4.html>. Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Harbor and Land Commission. Atlas of the Boundaries of the Cities

of Gloucester and Newburyport and Towns of Ame bury, Es ex, Georgetown. Groveland, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester, Merrimac, Newbury, Rockport, Rowley, Salisbury, Topsfield, Wenham, West Newbury. Essex County. 1905. From Registry of Deeds, Southern Essex District, Salem, Massachusetts. Folio B, Town Boundary Survey.

Garvin, James L. A Building History of Northern New England. Hanover: University Press of New England, 2001.

"Historical Sketch of the Organization and work of this Sabbath School." Delivered on the Fortieth Anniversary, January 9, 1876, by N.S. Wright, Acting Pastor. ("The Organization of Union Evangelical Parish and Society," Union Evangelical Church Centennial 1835-1935. pp 234. Amesbury Public Library Archives.)

Historical Sketch, RLLles, and Form of Admission of the Union , vangeUcal Church, Amesburv, Mass. 1886. Archives and Collections of Union Congregational Church.

"History of Union Evangelical Church being the Historical Address delivered by Hon. Charles I. Pettingell at the Centennial of the Church, October 14, 1935." Archives and Collections of Union Congregational Church.

"The Holbrooks & The Holbrook Bell Foundry," The Holbrooks & The Holbrook Bell Foundry. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://medwaylib.org/History/Holbrooks/Holbrooks.htm>.

"Interstate 495 Corridor Transportation Study." June 2008. <http://www.mass.gov>. Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, "Amesbury Reconnaissance Report, Essex

County Landscape Inventory." Massachusetts Heritage Landscape Inventory Program. May 2005. <http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/histland/reconReports/amesbury.pdf>.

McAlester, Virginia & Lee. A Field Guide to American Houses. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1984. Merrill, Joseph. Histo1y of Amesbury, Including the First Seventeen Years of Sali bury, to the Separation

in 1654; and Merrimac, From its Incorporation in 1876. From <books.google.com> "The Merrimac River Flood of 1936 (A Contemporary Account by a Point Shore Resident)." Courtesy

of Bob Labadini. "The Organization of Union Evangelical Parish and Society," Union Evangelical Church Centennial

1835-1935. pp 234. Amesbury Public Library Archives. "Southgate Steeplejacks -Steeple Anatomy," Southgate Steeplejacks -Steeple Anatomy. N.p., n.d. Web.

<http://www.southgatesteeplejacks.com/anatomy .html>. Union Evangelical Church Centennial 1835-1935_. Amesbury, MA: 1936. Amesbury Public Library

Archives. Union Evangelical Church Centennial Observance program. Amesbury, MA: October 12-15, 1935.

Archives and Collections of Union Congregational Church Wright, N.S. 42 Anniversary of the Church, Oct. 14, 1877. [7A Historical review of the prayer meetings

connected with this church.] Courtesy of Bob Labadini.

Sections 9-end page 24



Registry of Deeds {chronological order)

Deed of Sale from William J. Boardman to Union Evangelical Society of Amesbµry & Salisbury, January 18, 1836 (filed February 10, 1836), Essex County, Massachusetts, Deed Book 285, page 13.

Registry of Deeds, Southern Essex District, Salem, Massachusetts. Deed of Sale from A. L. Bayley to SalisY & AmesY Union Evang. Ch., February 6, 1864 (filed February

15, 1864), Essex County, Massachusetts, Deed Book 662, page 53. Registry of Deeds, Southern Essex District, Salem, Massachusetts.

Deed of Sale from A. L. Bayley to Salisby & Amesby Union Evangelical Church, March 13, 1866 (filed March 17, 1866), Essex County, Massachusetts, Deed Book 699, page 95. Registry of Deeds, Southern Essex District, Salem, Massachusetts.

Deed of Sale from Davis to Davis et al, July 25, 1924 (filed July 30, 1924), Essex County, Massachusetts, Deed Book 2606, page 496. Registry of Deeds, Southern Essex District, Salem, Massachusetts.

Deed of Sale from Goodwin to Davis et ux, May 9, 1938 (filed May 25, 1938), Essex County, Massachusetts, Deed Book 3146, page 39. Registry of Deeds, Southern Essex District, Salem, Massachusetts.

Deed of Sale from Davis et ux to Davis et al Trs., July 24, 1946 (filed August 1, 1946), Essex County, Massachusetts, Deed Book 3470, page 361. Registry of Deeds, Southern Essex District, Salem, Massachusetts.

Deed of Sale from Union Congregational Church of Amesbury, Inc. to Ronald Lovett and Katy Helman, 30April 1986 (filed May 15, 1986), Essex County, Massachusetts, Deed Book 8260, page 484. Registry of Deeds, Southern Essex District, Salem, Massachusetts.

Affidavit by Board of Directors of Union Congregational Church of Amesbury, April 30, 1986 (filed May 15, 1986), Essex County, Massachusetts, Deed Book 8260, page 482. Registry of Deeds,

Southern Essex District, Salem, Massachusetts.

Maps (Listed in chronological order)

1854. Amesbury Ferry. Detail from Map of the towns of Salisbury & Amesbury: Essex County, Mass., surveyed & drawn by E. M Woodford. (Richard Clark, 1854). Courtesy of Bob Labadini ..

1872 Salisbury Point Map. Plate 19, Atlas of Essex County, Massachusetts (Philadelphia: D.G. Beers & Co., 1872)

1927 Amesbury Atlas, plate 35, Registry of Deeds, Southern Essex District, Salem, MA. 1927 Amesbury Atlas, plate 37, Registry of Deeds, Southern Essex District, Salem, MA. 1987 U.S. Geological Survey. Newburyport, Massachusetts [map]. 1 :24,000. 7 .5 Minute Series: 1992 Amesbury Assessor's Map (72-109), Registry of Deeds, Southern Essex District, Salem, MA 2011 Amesbury Assessor's Map #89 (as of January 1, 2011), showing Union Congregational Church

lots# 20-22. Source: <http://www.amesburyma.gov>.

Historic Photographs & Images

Amesbury Public Library Archives. Archives and Collections of the Union Congregational Church. Collections of Salisbury Point neighbors Carol Glenn & Bob Labadini.




Previous documentation on file (NPS):

__ preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) has been requested __ previously listed in the National Register __ previously determined eligible by the National Register __ designated a National Historic Landmark __ recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey # _____ _ __ recorded by Historic American Engineering Record # ------ recorded _by Historic American Landscape Survey # -----

Primary location of additional data:

_L State Historic Preservation Office __ Other State agency __ Federal agency _L Local government __ University _x_ Other

Name ofrepository: ___ Aa..==m=e=s-=-b=u=-ry<-.::..P=u=bl=ic-=---=L=-ib=1=-=·a=..ry..._ ______ _

Historic Resources Survey Number (if assigned): _ _,A~M=E=·-=-1-'-7"""1 _____ _

10. Geographical Data

Acreage of Property --"""1.=6=2-"a=c.,._re=s'-----

U se either the UTM system or latitude/longitude coordinates

Latitude/Longitude Coordinates Datum if other than WGS84: -----( enter coordinates to 6 decimal places) 1. Latitude: 42.841769 2. Latitude:

Longitude: -70.924095 Longitude:

Or UTM References Datum (indicated on USGS map):

DNAD 1927 or

1. Zone: 19 2. Zone:

D NAD 1983

Easting: 342766 Easting:


Northing: 4745039 Northing:



Verbal Boundary Description (Describe the boundaries of the property.)

The boundary for the Union Congregational Church in Amesbury, Essex County, Massachusetts, corresponds to the legal boundaries of the three lots that the Union Congregational Church Society owns. These lots are recorded with the Assessor's Office within the Town of Amesbury, Massachusetts, as follows:

• Map 89/Lot 20 - 350 Main Street • Map 89/Lot 21-352 Main Street #R • Map 89/Lot 22 - 354 Main Street

See attached assessors maps (figure 14)

Boundary Justification (Explain why the boundaries were selected.)

Since 1835, when construction on the church was completed, the Union Congregational Church has been located at what is now 350 Main Street. In 1946, the church acquired two more plots of land-one to the north, extending their property back to the Powow River to include 352 Main Street #R, and one to the east, extending their property to include 354 Main Street. All three plots of land are owned by the Union Congregational Church Society today and are included in the nomination.

Form Prepared By

name/title: Abigail Muse with Karen L. Davis and Betsy Friedberg, National Register Director organization: Masssachuestts Historical Commission street & number: 220 Morrissev Blvd city or town: Boston state: _MA _____ zip code: 02125 e-mail [email protected] telephone: 617-727-8470 date: August, 2014

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: This information is being collected for applications to the National Register of Historic Places to nominate properties for listing or determine eligibility for listing, to list properties, and to amend existing listings. Response to this request is required to obtain a benefit in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (16 U.S.C.460 et seq.). Estimated Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average 100 hours per response including time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and completing and reviewing the form. Direct comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspect of this form to the Office of Planning and Performance Management. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, 1849 C. Street, NW, Washington, DC.




Additional Documentation

Submit the following items with the completed form:

• Maps: A USGS map or equivalent (7.5 or 15 minute series) indicating the property's location.

• Sketch map for historic districts and properties having large acreage or numerous resources. Key all photographs to this map.

• Additional items: (Check with the SHPO, TPO, or FPO for any additional items.)

Photographs

Submit clear and descriptive photographs. The size of each image must be 1600x 1200 pixels (minimum), 3000x2000 preferred, at 300 ppi (pixels per inch) or larger. Key all photographs to the sketch map. Each photograph must be numbered and that number must correspond to the photograph number on the photo log_ For simplicity, the name of the photographer, photo date, etc. may be listed once on the photograph log and doesn't need to be labeled on every photograph.

Photo Log

Name of Property: Union Congregational Church

City or Vicinity: Amesbury

County: Essex

Photographer: Abigail Muse

Date Photographed: April 2014

State: MA





Description of Photograph(s) and number, include description of view indicating direction of camera:

1 of 16 2 of 16 3 of 16 4 of 16 5 of 16 6 of 16 7 of 16 8 of 16 9 of 16 10 of 16 11 of16 12 of 16 13 of 16 14 of 16 15 of 16 16 of 16

Church complex, looking northeast Church and vestry, looking northwest Church exterior, looking southwest Rear elevation of church complex, looking southeast Steeple, looking northeast Fa<;ade detail, looking northwest Vestry, wing, hyphen, west elevation of church, looking northwest Vestry, wing, west elevation of church, looking north Sanctuary entry hall, looking northwest Sanctuary interior, looking north Sanctuary, view of gallery, looking southeast Heat register in sanctuary, looking down at the floor Tin ceiling in sanctuary, looking up Vestry interior, looking east Vestry interior, looking southwest Vestry kitchen, looking southeast

Additional Documentation - Sketch Map

The sketch map (Figure 1) was created by Abigail Muse based on a 1992 Assessor's map of Amesbury, filed with the Registry of Deeds, Southern Essex District, Salem, Massachusetts. Circled numbers with arrows correspond to the position of the photographer for numbered photographs. This map is not drawn to scale.

Additional Documentation - Building Footprint

The building footprint (Figure 2) was adapted from the Assessor's card from the Town of Amesbury.

Additional Documentation - Historic Images

Figure 3: Stereoscopic view of Union Congregational Church interior, facing altar. The back of the photograph reads:

The Old Congregational Church before it was remodeled Easter Sunday April 18, 1884 C.S. Pet [illegible]

Source: Amesbury Public Library Archives.

Figure 4: Union Congregational Church, interior view of pipe organ, exact date unknown. Source: Union Congregational Church.




Figure 5: Union Congregational Church, exterior view showing south fai;:ades of sanctuary and vestry buildings, post-1892. Courtesy of collections of Carol Glenn.

Figure 6: Union Congregational Church and surrounding neighborhood, view looking east down Main Street towards Merrimack River, date unknown. Courtesy ofcollections of Bob Labadini.

Figure 7: Union Congregational Church, exterior view facing north. From pamphlet dated "September 19 to September 26, 1919." Source: Amesbury Public Library Archives.

Figure 8: Union Congregational Church, image from 1936 Flood. Source: Amesbury Public Library Archives.

Figure 9: Union Congregational Church, exterior view facing north. Photograph is stamped with "PARIS PRINTS MAY 1936" in lower left corner. Source: Amesbury Public Library Archives.

Figure 10: Union Congregational Church, exterior view facing north. Hand-colored postcard dated 1939 and with label "Union Congregational Church, Salisbury Point, Amesbury, Mass.," on front. Source: Union Congregational Church Archives.

Additional Documentation - Maps

Figure 11: Amesbury Ferry, 1854. Detail from Map of the towns of Salisbury & Amesbury: Essex

County, Mass., surveyed & drawn by E. M Woodford. (Richard Clark, 1854). Courtesy of Bob

Labadini.

Figure 12: Salisbury Point Map. Plate 19, Atlas of Essex County, Massachusetts (Philadelphia: D.G. Beers

& Co., 1872)

Figure 13: Amesbury Assessor's Map (72-109), 1992, Registry of Deeds, Southern Essex District, Salem,

Massachusetts. Reproduced by A. Muse, 2012.

Figure 14: Amesbury Assessor's Map #89 (as of January 1, 2011), showing Union Congregational Church

lots# 20-22. Reproduced by A. Muse, 2013. Source: <http://www.amesburyma.gov>




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Figure 1: Sketch Map and Photo Key


United States Department of the Interior National Park Service/ National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 0MB No. 1024-001 B


Additional Documentation - Building Footprint

I I

,-

\VING "'" - \lESTRl..-

ca_ 1892 .... -~ HYPHEN

1864 date unkno,\n

CHURCH B .. 4.THROO~fS 1835

I DECK I

Figure 2: Building Footprint




Additional Documentation - Historic Images

Figure 3: Stereoscopic view of Union Congregational Church interior, facing altar. The back reads:

The Old Congregational Church before it was remodeled Easter Sunday April 18, 1884

CS. Pet [illegible] Source: Amesbury Public Library Archives.




Figure 4: Union Congregational Church, interior view of pipe organ, exact date unknown. Source: Union Congregational Church.




point Congrtgational Church, Rmes~uYy, JVIaaa.


Figure 5: Union Congregational Church, exterior view showing south far;ades of sanctuary and vestry buildings, post-1892.

Courtesy of collections of Carol Glenn.




Figure 6: Union Congregational Church and surrounding neighborhood, view looking east down Main Street towards Merrimack River, date unknown.

Courtesy of collections of Bob Labadini.




------------ --------------..

..

Figure 7: Union Congregational Church, exterior view facing north. From pamphlet

dated "September 19 to September 26, 1919."

Source: Amesbury Public Library Archives

Sections 9-end page 3 7



Figure 8: Union Congregational Church, image from 1936 Flood. Source: Amesbury Public Library Archives.


United States Department of the Interior National Park Service/ National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMS No. 1024-0018



Figure 9: Union Congregational Church, exterior view facing north. Photograph is

stamped with "PARIS PRINTS MAY 1936" in lower left corner.

Source: Amesbury Public Library Archives.




Union CougregaUonal Church. Salisbury l'oiot, Amesbury, Mas,; .


Hand Colored

Figure 10: Union Congregational Church, exterior view facing north. Hand

colored postcard dated 1939 and with label "Union Congregational Church,

Salisbury Point, Amesbury, Mass.," on front.

Source: Union Congregational Church Archives.


United States Department of the Interior National Park SeNice / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 0MB No. 1024-0018


Figure 11: Amesbury Ferry, 1854. Detail from Map of the towns of Salisbury & Amesbury, Essex

County, Mass., surveyed & drawn by E. M Woodford. (Richard Clark, 1854).

Courtesy of Bob Labadini.




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Figure 12: Salisbury Point, 1872. Plate 19 from D.G. Beers & Co,Atlas of Essex County, Massachusetts (Philadelphia, 1872)




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Figure 13: Amesbury Assessor's Map (72-109), 1992, Registry of Deeds,




Southern Essex District, Salem, Massachusetts. Reproduced by A. Muse, 2012.

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Figure 14: Amesbury Assessor's Map #89 (as of January 1, 2011), showing Union Congregational Church lots # 20-22.

Reproduced by A. Muse, 2013. Source: <http://www.amesburyma.gov>


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