First Methodist Church
Why it's listed
Built in 1926 on Walnut Street beside Central Park in Clinton, Massachusetts, this L-shaped building was meant to be only part of a larger Methodist church. Boston architects Daniel Howard Woodbury and George P. Stuart designed it in the Tudor Revival style, with a cobblestone first story, stucco upper walls, half-timbering, a crenellated entry porch and a steep slate roof. A Colonial Revival rectory and a small garage were built on the same lot. The congregation raised funds through weekly pledges after selling its High Street church, but money ran out before the formal worship wing was constructed. A community hall and gymnasium served as the sanctuary until the Methodists left the building in the 1980s. It is the only Tudor Revival church among seven in central Clinton and kept its original design elements. After a rehabilitation that changed the plan very little, it now serves as a two-family residence and an office.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is an excellent, intact example of Tudor Revival architecture and the only one among the seven churches in central Clinton. It also reflects the growth of the town's Methodist community and the town's development around Central Park. It is of local significance under Criteria A and C, with Criteria Consideration A for religious properties.
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 90001720, listed November 2, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 75 Walnut St., Clinton |
|---|---|
| County | Worcester County |
| Listed | November 2, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90001720 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1926-1940 |
| Architect / builder | Woodbury, Daniel Howard; Stuart, George P. |
| Architectural style | Late 19th Century Revivals: Colonial Revival; Tudor Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture, Religion |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Rehabilitated in the 1980s under the historic preservation certification process; currently used as a two-family residence and an office. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.41679, -71.68376 (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 90001720.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5453270
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.