Methodist Church
Why it's listed
This small clapboard church on Main Street in Marstons Mills Center was built before 1830 and moved by oxen from Yarmouth in 1830 to land given by Allan Marston and Ebenezer Scudder. It began as a simple rectangular building under a gable roof. Later changes added Queen Anne character: a belfry rising from a pedimented entry porch, decorative shingling, and a double-leaf entry with paneled and glazed doors. A small rear ell was added in 1915, and in 1959 a surplus barracks from nearby Otis Air Force Base was moved beside the church as Memorial Hall, largely through the work of church members. The Methodist Episcopal Society had formed at Marstons Mills soon after 1826. The congregation later united with Osterville's church in 1968, the building housed a school in 1974, and it has been home to the Community Church since 1981. It was listed for its role in village life and as a good local example of 19th century church architecture.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church has played a central role in the development and continuation of Marstons Mills village life. It is also considered a good local example of 19th century ecclesiastical architecture, combining Greek Revival form with Queen Anne elements.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 87000247, listed March 13, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Main St., Barnstable |
|---|---|
| County | Barnstable County |
| Listed | March 13, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87000247 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival with Queen Anne elements |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | National, State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In good condition and in use as the Community Church, organized in 1981, after serving as a Methodist church and, in 1974, a school. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 41.65401, -70.41153 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 87000247.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6823747
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.