Medfield in Norfolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

First Baptist Church

438 Main Street

— 1838 —

First Baptist Church Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2019

1. First Baptist Church Marker

Inscription. Has been placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Churches & Religion • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.

Location. 42° 11.229′ N, 71° 18.219′ W. Marker is in Medfield, Massachusetts, in Norfolk County. Marker is on Main Street (Massachusetts Route 109) just east of South Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the subject building, just to the left of the sanctuary entrance on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 438 Main Street, Medfield MA 02052, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. John Parcell Ross Jr. (a few steps from this marker); Straw Hat Factory (a few steps from this marker); Medfield Town Hall (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of the Homestead of Rev. John Wilson, (about 400 feet away); Clarence Meredith Cutler (about 500 feet away); Peak House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Old Meeting House Common (approx. 3.9 miles away); Old Walpole Town Hall (approx. 3.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Medfield.

Regarding First Baptist Church.

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National Register of Historic Places #03000921.

From the National Register Nomination:
The new Baptist church, dedicated October 3, 1838, contained fifty pews and an upstairs gallery for the choir. Initially, only the sanctuary, or upper level, of the church was finished. Twenty-four members joined the Baptist Church in 1841, and this “small revival” caused the congregation to finish a room in the basement for the Wednesday evening prayer meeting, previously convened in private residences throughout the town. The new church held the first Baptist church bell in Medfield, as well as the town’s first church organ, which was installed in the gallery in the 1850s. In 1893, the bell on the Baptist Church was used as the town fire alarm. In other years, the bell of the First Parish Unitarian Church was used for that purpose.

Also see . . . First Baptist Church of Medfield.

The congregation was established in 1752. It was formally incorporated and given recognition in 1776 under Thomas Gair, its first pastor. The church building, the second for the congregation, was constructed in 1838, and originally had Greek Revival styling. In 1874 it was significantly renovated and given its present Gothic Revival appearance.

(Submitted on March 29, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2019

2. First Baptist Church Marker

(marker is mounted on left/east side of entrance)

First Baptist Church (<i>northwest corner</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2019

3. First Baptist Church (northwest corner)

First Baptist Church (<i>northwest elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 7, 2019

4. First Baptist Church (northwest elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 28, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 69 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 28, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 29, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.