First Church of Christ, Lancaster
Also known as: Lancaster Church; First Church of Christ,Unitarian
Why it's listed
Facing the town common in Lancaster, Massachusetts, this two-story brick church was dedicated on January 1, 1817. Boston architect Charles Bulfinch drew the plans in the Adamesque-Federal style, and master builder Thomas Hearsey constructed it for $19,088.66, completing the work in 151 working days. The facade is the main attraction: a two-stage brick tower carries a wooden cupola surrounded by Roman Ionic columns, in front of a giant arcaded portico. Hearsey altered Bulfinch's plan by making the three portico arches equal in height. Inside are original box and slip pews, galleries on fluted columns, and a pulpit on Ionic columns. The only exterior change was the half-hexagonal Thayer Memorial Chapel, added to the rear in 1881. Decorative wall panels and ceiling plasterwork date from 1900. The building has neither electric lighting nor central heat and is still warmed by two stoves. It is regarded as probably the finest surviving Bulfinch church in New England.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it probably the finest of Bulfinch's surviving New England churches. Its facade, with a two-stage brick tower, a wood cupola ringed by Roman Ionic columns and a giant arcaded portico, is singled out as especially noteworthy. The church has no artificial lighting or central heat and remains substantially as built, with only minor changes.
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 70000897, listed December 30, 1970. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Facing the Common, Lancaster |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | December 30, 1970 |
| Reference number | 70000897 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific date 1816) |
| Architect / builder | Charles Bulfinch, architect; Thomas Hearsey, master builder |
| Architectural style | Adamesque-Federal |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated December 30, 1970 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In good condition and still used for religious purposes; open to visitors upon request. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Within district | Center Village District |
| Coordinates | 42.45580, -71.67302 (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 70000897.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5452719
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.