Saint Paul's Rectory
Why it's listed
Built in 1886 at 130 Aspinwall Avenue in Brookline, this rectory serves St. Paul's Episcopal Church and was designed by the architects Peabody and Stearns. It was erected in memory of Henry Chase, an active member of the congregation. Its walls are Brighton puddingstone trimmed with Nova Scotia freestone, and the house has a gable roof, scalloped bargeboards on gabled dormers, diamond-paned windows, and a parapet wall with elbows. The style is described as Jacobethan, chosen to complement the Gothic church beside it. Writers in 1900 and 1902 praised the church and rectory together as a picturesque scene resembling rural England. Contemporary accounts noted that the architects favored comfort and utility over display, and an interior fireplace was described as Richardsonian in character. The house has sheltered rectors including Dr. Leonard Storrs and Rev. Frederick Lawrence. Its listing rests on its link to Brookline's church history and its architectural quality. It remains the rector's home, with a floor raised in 1927.
Significance in brief: The rectory is considered significant for its ties to Brookline's church history and as a fine example of the Jacobethan style. It was designed to complement the Gothic church next door and form a picturesque English-countryside group. It also housed rectors who guided the parish, including Dr. Leonard Storrs and Rev. Frederick Lawrence.
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 85003313, listed October 17, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 130 Aspinwall Ave., Brookline |
|---|---|
| County | Norfolk County |
| Listed | October 17, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85003313 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Peabody and Stearns |
| Architectural style | Jacobethan |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Religion, Social History |
| Level of significance | National, State, Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as the home of the rector of St. Paul's Church; the floor was raised in 1927. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.34625, -71.11783 (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 85003313.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7402025
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.