Hampton Falls in Rockingham County, New Hampshire — The American Northeast (New England)
First Congregational Society of Hampton Falls, Unitarian
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 1, 2024
1. First Congregational Society of Hampton Falls, Unitarian Marker
National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form
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Built 1838
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and the Unitarian Universalism (UUism) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.
Location. 42° 56.018′ N, 70° 53.39′ W. Marker is in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, in Rockingham County. It is on Exeter Road (New Hampshire Route 88) 0.1 miles south of Brown Road, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 143 Exeter Rd, Hampton Falls NH 03844, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on New Hampshire’s Seacoast. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hampton Falls Historical Society (approx. 1.2 miles away); Governor Meshech Weare House (approx. 1.6 miles away); George Washington's Visit (approx. 1.8 miles away); Shapley Line (approx. 2.7 miles away); Old Landing Road (approx. 2.8 miles away); Site of the Log Meeting-House (approx. 2.8 miles away); The Proprietary School (approx. 2.8 miles away); A Little Band Of Pioneers (approx. 2.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hampton Falls.
Regarding First Congregational Society of Hampton Falls, Unitarian.
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In antis style churches may be found throughout the eastern United States; this building, however, appears to be the only surviving one in New Hampshire. The church's condition is superb; it remains virtually unaltered since its construction in 1838. Architectural trompe l'il interiors are rare; pre-Victorian trompe l'il such as this are rarer still.
This building was erected in 1838 as a Unitarian Church, built to replace a 1768 Congregational meetinghouse which stood across the road until 1842. The builder and interior painter remain unknown. An unsubstantiated 1952 newspaper article (Hampton Union, 8/14/52) indicates that the new foundation was in place by June 1838 when the Unitarian Society formally acquired the land. The referenced deed, however, is not on record at the Registry. An Exeter News Letter article (1/8/1839) details the dedication of this building on January 1, 1839.
The only known alterations since the church's construction in 1838 include installation of two modern electric lanterns over the front entries, metal railings by the front steps, and a new roof to replace the one which blew off in a 1949 hurricane. Two stoves, and their accompanying stovepipes which ran the length of the building suspended from the ceiling, were removed during the1940's. Long-time residents also tell of a big rock which came through the ceiling in 1915 due to careless dynamiting.Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 1, 20242. First Congregational Society of Hampton Falls, Unitarian Marker
Also see . . . First Congregational Society Unitarian Church. On a hilltop in the exact geographical centre of Hampton Falls stands a quiet Greek Temple, the meetinghouse of the First Congregational Society (Unitarian) of Hampton Falls. (First Congregational Society (Unitarian) of Hampton Falls) (Submitted on November 12, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Peter E. Randall; from National Register of Historic Places nomination (Public Domain), November 1983
3. Church interior
The panels on the walls and the floral design on the ceiling are trompe-l'il paintings. Trompe-l'il (French for 'deceive the eye') painting creates a three-dimensional illusion on a two-dimensional surface.
Peter E. Randall; from National Register of Historic Places nomination (Public Domain), November 1983
4. Church ceiling detail
The artist who created this trompe-l'il paintinf is unknown.
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Credits. This page was last revised on November 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 141 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 12, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
