Unitarian Memorial Church
Also known as: Rogers Memorial Church
Why it's listed
Occupying a landscaped square in the center of Fairhaven, this church complex draws on the medieval architecture of England. It includes a granite-faced sanctuary with a 156-foot bell tower, a brick parish house linked to it by a cloister with bronze Gothic gates, and a Tudor-inspired former parsonage, now the Harrop Center. Carved Indiana limestone ornament, stained glass, carved oak and marble finishes distinguish the interior. Designed by Boston architect Charles Brigham and completed in 1904, the group is described as one of the finest examples of early 20th century Gothic Revival design in Massachusetts and has changed very little since it was built. It was the gift of Henry Huttleston Rogers, a Fairhaven native who rose to a leading position at Standard Oil and gave the town several major public buildings. The property was recognized for its architecture and its link to Rogers, whose donations shaped the town's civic landscape.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls the complex one of the great masterpieces of early 20th century Gothic Revival architecture in Massachusetts and a major commission of Boston architect Charles Brigham. It survives in excellent condition with very little alteration since its 1904 completion. It is also significant for its association with donor Henry Huttleston Rogers, a Fairhaven native and Standard Oil executive who gave the town several major public buildings.
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 96001374, listed November 22, 1996. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 102 Green St., Fairhaven |
|---|---|
| County | Bristol County |
| Listed | November 22, 1996 |
| Reference number | 96001374 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1901 - 1946 |
| Architect / builder | Charles Brigham |
| Architectural style | Late Gothic Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Community Planning and Development, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as surviving in excellent condition with no significant alterations; the church and parish house retain religious use and the former parsonage is now the Harrop Center. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 41.63369, -70.90211 (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 96001374.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q17027618
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.