First Congregational Church (Farmington, New Hampshire)
The First Congregational Church is a historic church at 400 Main Street in Farmington, New Hampshire. Built in 1875 for a congregation founded in 1819, it is the oldest church building in the town, and a distinctive example of Gothic Revival architecture designed by New Hampshire native Frederick N. Footman. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2018,[1] and the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places in 2017.[2] The congregation is affiliated with the United Church of Christ.
First Congregational Church | |
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| Location | 400 Main St., Farmington, New Hampshire |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 43°23′20″N 71°3′53″W |
| Built | 1875 |
| Architect | Frederick N. Footman |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 100001963[1] |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | January 12, 2018 |
| Designated NHSRHP | July 31, 2017[2] |
Description and history
The First Congregational Church stands in the town center of Farmington, on the west side of Main Street (New Hampshire Route 153) at Pleasant Street. It is a red brick building, with a basically rectangular plan covered by a gabled roof. A square tower projects from the left front corner, rising 120 feet (37 m) and housing a clock and belfry before terminating in a steeple surmounted by a cross. The bell was dedicated in 1918 to the memory of politician Henry Wilson, who was a member of the congregation in his youth. The interior retains a number of original features, including chair rails, Gothic choir pews, and massive wooden roof trusses. It has a series of particularly fine stained glass windows that are original to its construction.[3]
The church was built in 1875 to a design to Frederick Footman. Footman was a native of Somersworth, who was one of the first enrollees in the architecture program of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.[3] The congregation was founded in 1819, and built its first dedicated sanctuary across the street in 1844. That building burned during a blizzard in 1875,[4] and the present building was constructed on land donated by a wealthy local businessman.[5]
References
- "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- "New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places". New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
- "Farmington church named to National Register of Historic Places". State of New Hampshire. Retrieved 2018-06-29.
- "Our History". Farmington UCC. Retrieved 2018-06-29.
- "First Congregational Church in Farmington listed on National Register of Historic Places". Manchester Union Leader. February 1, 2018. Retrieved 2018-06-29.
