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First Church of Christ, Congregational (Springfield, Massachusetts)

First Church of Christ, Congregational
Old First Church 2010 07 04.jpg
First Church of Christ
First Church of Christ, Congregational (Springfield, Massachusetts) is located in Massachusetts
First Church of Christ, Congregational (Springfield, Massachusetts)
First Church of Christ, Congregational (Springfield, Massachusetts) is located in the US
First Church of Christ, Congregational (Springfield, Massachusetts)
Location Springfield, Massachusetts
Coordinates 42°6′3″N 72°35′23″W / 42.10083°N 72.58972°W / 42.10083; -72.58972Coordinates: 42°6′3″N 72°35′23″W / 42.10083°N 72.58972°W / 42.10083; -72.58972
Built 1819
Architect Damon,Isaac
Architectural style Greek Revival, Federal
Part of Court Square Historic District (#74000370)
NRHP Reference #

72000135

Significant dates
Added to NRHP February 1, 1972
Designated CP May 2, 1974

72000135


First Church of Christ, Congregational, or Old First Church, is a historic church at 50 Elm Street in Springfield, Massachusetts. Built in 1819, the present structure is the fourth church building on the site, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. The church is within the Court Square Historic District

The First Church was organized in 1637, the year following Springfield's founding by Puritan iconoclast and businessman, William Pynchon. The first church building was built in 1645 by Thomas Cooper, on what is now the southeast corner of Court Square. It had two towers: one for the bell, and the other to watch for approaching Indians. It was replaced in 1677 by the second meeting house, and the third was built in 1752. The third one was, in turn, replaced by the current building in 1819.

Noted abolitionist Dr. Samuel Osgood was the pastor of the congregation from 1809 to 1854. It was during this time that the present building was visited by notable figures such as Daniel Webster and John Brown, who resided in Springfield for some time. In addition, Jenny Lind performed a concert in the church in July 1851, and in 1848, the body of President John Quincy Adams lay in state in the center aisle of the sanctuary.

Because of maintenance costs and dwindling membership, the First Church disbanded in 2007, after 370 years in existence. The building was sold to the City of Springfield for $900,000. In 2011, the roof of the building was damaged by the June 1st tornado that tore through Western Massachusetts, and was repaired by the city using federal funds. The city currently rents the building to a local congregation, Wellspring Church, which holds its Sunday services there. The building is also rented out for weddings and other functions.

The church was designed by Isaac Damon (1781-1862), a noted Western Massachusetts architect from Northampton. During his career, he designed 13 churches, including the First Congregational Church of Blandford, Southwick Congregational Church, and the First Church of Northampton.


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