Dover in Strafford County, New Hampshire — The American Northeast (New England)

St. John's Methodist Church

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2019

1. St. John's Methodist Church Marker

Inscription. St. John's Methodist Church, now St. John's Senior Housing, was built in 1875 for $40,000. Methodism is the third oldest religious denomination in Dover (after the Congregationalists and the Quakers) and their worship services began in 1819 at the old court house on Tuttle Square. The congregation grew quickly and in 1825, on land donated by the Waldron family (many of whom are buried in the family cemetery at the back of the property), a small two-story wooden church was built.

By mid-century, a parsonage, a vestry, and two chapel wings had been added as Methodism had a broad and popular appeal among the workingmen and women who labored nearby in the Cocheco mills. The small church was razed and this large brick edifice replaced it. The church seated 1,000 parishioners and housed new chimes, weighing 8,000 pounds, that were hoisted into its bell tower. The church was used until 1970 when a new St. John's United Methodist Church was opened on Cataract Avenue. In 1982, the building was converted into apartments for the elderly and is presently owned and managed by the Dover Housing Authority.

Erected 2015 by Faces of Dover, and Dover Main Street, Inc. (Marker Number 8.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites

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• Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.

Location. 43° 11.906′ N, 70° 52.321′ W. Marker is in Dover, New Hampshire, in Strafford County. Marker is on Chapel Street (New Hampshire Route 4) just east of Saint John Street (New Hampshire Route 4), on the left when traveling east. Marker is located beside the sidewalk, directly in front of the subject church building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 18 Chapel Street, Dover NH 03820, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Two Morrill Blocks (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dover NH WW I Dobbins Memorial (about 500 feet away); Dover’s Two Largest Retail Chain Stores (about 500 feet away); The New Depot on Third Street (about 500 feet away); Merchants National Bank (about 600 feet away); The American House Hotel (about 600 feet away); Drouin WWI Memorial (about 600 feet away); The Dover Mill Girls (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dover.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. St. John's Church. (Submitted on July 4, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. A Brief History of St. John’s United Methodist Church. The construction of

Marker detail: First St. John’s Church (built 1825) image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: First St. John’s Church (built 1825)

the new (third) St. John's Methodist Church was completed in 1970. A beautiful pipe organ is at the center of the sanctuary. It is the very same organ that was built for the downtown St. John’s location. This fabulous organ was thoughtfully rescued from being demolished at the time of the sale of the downtown church. Two Eagle Scouts painstakingly took the grand instrument apart piece by piece and hauled it into storage in a barn, where it waited in silence. Seventeen years later, the same two Eagle Scouts sat on the committee to oversee the organ’s return to the sanctuary. (Submitted on July 4, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: St. John’s Church Sanctuary image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: St. John’s Church Sanctuary

The sanctuary was specially designed to accommodate a truly grand pipe organ.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2019

4. St. John's Methodist Church Marker

St. John's Apartments Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2019

5. St. John's Apartments Entrance

(Dover Housing Authority plaque on right side)

Saint John Methodist Church Steeple & Weathervane image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2019

6. Saint John Methodist Church Steeple & Weathervane

St. John's Methodist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 9, 2019

7. St. John's Methodist Church

(tower restoration in progress • marker visible near bottom right corner)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 258 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 4, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.