First Church Congregational
Why it's listed
First Congregational Church sits on a 1-3/4 acre lot at Pleasant and Stevens Streets in Methuen, Massachusetts. The main church, built in 1855, is a rough-cut Pelham granite auditorium with a three-story crenellated tower, lancet windows and a Gothic-arched entrance. Phillips Chapel was added in 1881, the apse was dedicated in 1895, and a buff brick Parish House followed in 1964. It is the congregation's third meetinghouse; the first was erected by the town in 1728 and the second in 1796, and the 1855 building reuses materials from the second. Its formal "Roman" design was unusual for a non-conformist congregation. The apse, designed by Heins and LaFarge, is finished with marble from several regions and holds figures by Louis St. Gaudens. Its window, "The Resurrection," is made of about 10,000 pieces of glass, and LaFarge regarded it as his masterpiece. The church is noted for its architecture and its role in Methuen's development.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church is significant for its architecture and for its ties to the growth of Methuen. It is the congregation's third meetinghouse and an early high-style "Roman" edifice for a non-conformist congregation. The 1895 apse by Heins and LaFarge holds a LaFarge window, "The Resurrection," and fine marble and sculptural work.
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 78000461, listed December 1, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Pleasant and Stevens Sts., Methuen |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | December 1, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78000461 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Original architect unknown; apse by Heins and LaFarge |
| Areas of significance | Art, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied, privately owned and in religious use. |
| Acreage | 1.8 |
| Within district | Pleasant-High Historic District |
| Coordinates | 42.72942, -71.18519 (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 78000461.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q8563342
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.