FORM B - BUILDING Assessor's number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number

Massachusetts Historical Commission 57-140 I 1.Marlborough I K 97

80 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Town MarlborolJ~h

'Place (neighborhood or village) _

~
Methodist Village
1iAddress '\2 Chmch Street

j Historic Name First Methodjst Chllfch

<. .{ Uses: Present United Methodist Chmch

!~J ,
I?
Original Methodist Church

Date of Construction _~J~8~5~3 _

Source Hudson, Ambler, Hmd

Style/Form Col Rev and Gothic-alterec!

Greek Revival
i~~rt;ij;~},~
Architect/Builder unknown

Exterior Material:

Sketch Map Foundation (not visible)

Draw a map of the area indicating properties within
it. Number each property for which individual WalltTrirn synthetic siding
inventory forms have been completed. Label streets
including route numbers, if any. Auach a separate Roof asphalt shingle
sheet if space is not sufficient here. Indicate north.
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures _

none
/
Ii Major Alterations (with dates) Building

j raised, windows and vesbhlJles

exterior chimney, 190); rear additioD, 1914;

steeple removed,1922. See also pp. 2-3.
added, ]887;

N Condition fair

Moved pq no [ ] yes Date _~N_f~A _

Acreage less than one acre

Recorded by Anne Forbes Setting In mixed 19th -ea rIy- )Oth-C resideu-

Organization for Marlboro His! Comm tia] neighborhood: ] 840 parsonage, playground
to N. 1893 stone retaining wall and posts,
Date J125i94 granite steps at front
BUILDING FORM
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION l l see continuation sheet
Describe architectural features, Evaluate t'he characteristics of this building in terms of other buildings
within the community.

The most radically altered of Marlborough's historic churches, this church nevertheless retains most
of the massing it acquired in 1887, when the original 1852-53 rectangular, gable-roofed structure was
raised and altered. In that year, the building was lifted up and a new foundation and first-floor
vestry built. At the same time a large, flat-roofed facade-width vestibule, which then had a
pedimented central pavilion, was added. At the rear, a "chapel vestibule" extension was built to
i
house the organ, and six tall, pointed-arched stained glass windows were added along the sides of J
the sanctuary. (One has been replaced.) In spite of the loss of much architectural trim, the windows
are still topped with their horizontal projecting, molded cornices. A line of four replacement fixed I
"
windows appears at the lower, first-floor level.

Some materials and details appear to remain from the 1887 renovations, including brick quoining
at the first story facade corners, and a small pointed-arched, leaded-glass window in each end wan
of the vestibule. In recent years the roofline and the rest of the fenestration of the vestibule has
been changed, however, save for the central Palladian colored-glass window, which appears to fill the
same opening as the one installed under the pediment in the 1887 renovations. Two windows and
the pediment of the main facade were also recently removed.

The elegant, three-stage steeple, which had pointed finials atop the comers of the first two square
stages, was removed in 1922; a shorter one was built later; this has also been demolished. In 1963
a large one-story rear wing was added across the back of the church.

HISTORICAL NARRATIVE [X} see continuation sheet j

Explain history of the building. Exp ain its associations with local (or state) history. Include uses of the
building, and the role(s) the owners/occupants played within the community.

This church, even more clearly than the Unitarian society at the West Meeting House (see Form
#74), illustrates the diversity of theology that was becoming evident among Marlborough s citizens,
as it was elsewhere in New England, at the beginning of the nineteenth century. John Wesley
founded Methodism in England, gradually formulating Its principles through the revivalist period of
the Great Awakening in the 1730's and 1740's. The Methodist Episcopal Church was constituted
in 1784, and made its final break with the Church of England in 1795, four years after Wesley's
death. Toward the end of the eighteenth century, Methodism was brought to this country largely
by immigrants from Ireland who had been converted by Wesley.

The first Methodist meetings were held in Marlborough as early as 1800, when Phineas Sawyer, who
came here from Harvard, was converted by the Rev. George PIckering and began hosting sevices at
his home in the north {'art of town, at Feltonville (now Hudson.) The first guest pastor was
apparently the Rev. Benjamin Hoyt. Mr. Sawyer had purchased two existing mills on the Assabet
in 1798, and is. credited with erecting the second cotton spinning mill in Massachusetts there. At the
time the services started, because he was a Methodist,' Phineas Sawyer was the only man III
Marlborough officially exempt from taxes to support the Congregational church. (Cont.)

BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES [ ] see continuation sheet

Ambler, John. "History of the First Methodist Church of Marlboro." 100th Anniversary of the First
Methodist Church III Marlborough. 1953.
Bigelow, Ella. llistorical Reminiscences of the Early Times in Marlborough. 1910.
Hudson, Charles. HistoI)' of the Town of Marlborou~h. 1862.
Hurd, D. Hamilton. History of Middlesex Count. 18 O.
Centennial, '90: Marlborour the City. 1990.
Maps and Atlases: Former uildil$: Wood: 1830, 1835. Present building: Walling: 1853, 1857;
Beers: 1875; Bailey & Hazen: 1878; Walker: 1889.
Marlborough Directories.

[ J Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. If checked, a completed
National Register Criteria Statement form is attached.
INVENTORY FORM CONTINUATION SHEET Community Property
Marlborough First Methodist Church

Massachusetts Historical Commission

80 Boylston Street Area(s) Form No.
Boston, Massachusetts 02116 K 97

HISTORICAL NARRATIVE, cont.

The small group of worshipers grew over the next two decades, and in 1821, four years before the
national Methodist organization was formed, the Methodist Religious Society of Marlborough and
Vicinity was organized. Ministers were supplied from the Needham Circuit from 1821 to 1832, when
the Marlborough Circuit was formed, with Marlborough an official "station" in the church. In 1827-
28 a brick meeting house, located to accommodate worshipers from Stow, Feltonville, and
Marlborough center, was built on Gospel Hill 2 1/4 miles to the east of Feltonville. The first pastor
of the brick church was the Rev. N.B. Fisk.
In 1852 the church building burned down, possibly the result of arson, as had been the case with the
Spring Hill Meetinghouse fire the month before. (See Form #194.) The main part of the society
built a new church in Rockbottom. Under the leadership of the society's original clerk, Solomon
Weeks, the minority, most of whom had traveled a considerable distance to attend services, separated
to become the Methodist Society of Marlborough Centre, and constructed the present building here
on part of part of the Weeks land. The new building, which cost $4,200, was dedicated in October,
1853. That year their were 39 church members. Among the other early family names associated
with the church were Barnes, Chipman, Cole, Cook, Freeman, Hinds, Miles, Parmenter, Rice,
Wilkins, and Williams.
In 1865 the church membership was about 100; by 1899 it was nearly 200. Because of the national
Episcopal organization that assigned ministers for only a limited penod of time, this church has had
many pastors; over seventy have preached here in Marlborough since this building was built. One
of the most popular was the Rev. 'Nathaniel B. Fisk, who in 1877 drew in so many townspeople that
the Universalist Church on Main Street was hired for extra services. Mr. Fisk attempted to nave the
church relocated to the town center, and efforts were made to purchase the Universalist Church or
build a new one. Circumstance and economic conditions prevailed, however, and the church
remained at this location.
At about the same time the church was erected, the parsonage was built next door at 50 Church
Street. The leader of that building effort, as well as for the construction of the church itself, was
Solomon Weeks, who owned the land. He and his building committee chose Lucas Parmenter to
design and and build the house. In 1865, the year before hIS death, "Uncle Weeks", as the beloved
benefactor was called, donated the parsonage property to the church. The parsonage was enlarged
in 1893, and again in 1896-97.
In 1968, several splinter groups of Methodists came together under the United Methodist Church.
The Marlborough church joined the organization, at which time it became the First United
Methodist Church of Marlborough.
 FORM B - BUII:DING In Area no. Form no.

l\1ASSACHTj,3El'TS HI:::>TORICAL COMMISSIO:\ 97

Office 01 the Secretary State House, Boston
l

If .~.
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)wn

52 (..)
'-'_1 ur ell
i,
::.,treet
idress
---------
Lme Kethodist Church

-esent use Chur chjSunday Schoo 1

of
'~esent owner Un i ted l\r:ethodist Church

1853
Church Hecords

4. Map. Dra\~-sketch of building location Architect

in relation to nearest cross streets and
other buildings. Indicate north. Exterior wall fabric Clapboard/brick

Outbuildings (describe) Classrooms

Other features

0 r.::. 0
":l::.
~ vuJE STR.EiE"f
0 >0:,
~
Moved Date
0 ~
5. Lot size:
FfoNr s r:
One acre or less x Over one acre
[J ---

o Approximate frontage 5_0_' _

o o Approximate distance of building from street

o 3°'
6. Recorded by \\). Gibbons
--------------
Organization Marlboro Planning Dept.

Date 6/29/79
(over)

37'14-7-77
7. Original owner (if known) Wethoriist Church

Original use C_h_v_'r_c_h_' ..,....- _

Subsequent uses (if any) and dates Day Care Center added until several years afo

8. Themes (check as many as applicable)

Aboriginal Conservation Recreation

Agricultural Education x Religion x
Architectural x Exploration/ Science/
The Arts settlement invention
Commerce Industry Social!
Communication Military humanitarian x
Community development x political Transportation

9. Historical significance (include explanation of themes checked above)

The Methodist Church was dedicated in October of 1853,

the first pastor, Rev. ~.E. Fisk, officiating. ~early
twenty-three ministers served the church to 1910. ~he
founder of the Methodist movement in'i'v~arlboro
was De ac .
Phineas Sawyer. From l7ge ~hrough the early 1800's,
Deacon Sawyer opened his home as a place of worship to peoplE
embracing the Methodist faith, until his grist mill death
in 1820. A brick church preceded the present:one, but was
destroyed by fire in 1852.

~he church houses the classrooms for Sunday School in the

rear. These rooms were.later used as a Day Care Center,
which is no longer in existence. The Sunday School is
utilizing the rooms once again. The current pastor,
Rev. Robert Heager 'will soon be replaced by Rev. Craig
Eby.
The exterior of the church has the original quoins on
the corners of the main building, along with the clapboards.
However, aluminum siding covers the main entrance.

10. BIbliography and/or references (such as local histories, deeds, assessor's records,
ear ly maps, etc.)
Historical Reminiscences of Marlborough. Ella Bigelow, 1910 Marlborou~
Methodist Church Anniversary Book (Public 'Library Archives)