Riverside in Cambridge in Middlesex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Here Stood the Original Meeting House...
Here stood the original meeting house of the First Church in Cambridge.
Built in 1632 and the center of the civic and religious life of the town.
Thomas Hooker
a peerless leader
of
New England thought and life
in both
Church and State
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Colonial Era. In addition, it is included in the Unitarian Universalism (UUism) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1632.
Location. 42° 22.332′ N, 71° 7.167′ W. Marker is in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County. It is in Riverside. Marker is at the intersection of Dunster Street and Mount Auburn Street, on the left when traveling north on Dunster Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 82 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge MA 02138, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Judge Samuel Danforth (within shouting distance of this marker); Prof. John Winthrop (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Founding of Newtowne / Newtowne and Cambridge (about 300 feet away); Harvard Student Agencies (about 300 feet away); Cambridge (about 400 feet away); Stephen Daye
this page online
Additional commentary.
1. About First Church in Cambridge
In the early 19th century, the First Church in Cambridge split. The more theologically liberal congregants formed the Unitarian parish (now part of the Unitarian Universalist Association) while the more theologically conservative congregants formed the Congregationalist parish (now part of the United Church of Christ).
Both parishes used the name First Church in Cambridge until 1899, when they agreed to cite their denominational affiliations in their names, becoming First Church in Cambridge (Unitarian) and First Church in Cambridge (Congregationalist).
In 1902, the Unitarian congregation moved into its current building. It now uses First Parish in Cambridge, Unitarian/Universalist. The UCC parish now uses First Church in Cambridge, Congregational, United Church of Christ. Both congregations are descended from the First Church in Cambridge.
— Submitted February 1, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 1, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 104 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 1, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
