Watertown in Codington County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

First Congregational Church

121 First Ave. S.E.

— Watertown Commercial Historic District —

First Congregational Church Marker image. Click for full size.

November 10, 2024

1. First Congregational Church Marker

Inscription. Built 1916-1917. Georgian Revival architecture.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.

Location. 44° 53.937′ N, 97° 6.729′ W. Marker is in Watertown, South Dakota, in Codington County. It is on 1st Avenue Southeast west of 2nd Street Southeast, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 121 1st Ave SE, Watertown SD 57201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East River.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Manse, First Congregational Church (here, next to

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this marker); Cave Auto Supply Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Commercial Building (about 300 feet away); Foley Block–East End (about 300 feet away); Foley Block–West End (about 300 feet away); State Bank and Trust Company or Commercial Bank (about 300 feet away); Carnegie Free Public Library (about 400 feet away); Schaller's Department Store (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Watertown.

Regarding First Congregational Church. Contributing property, Watertown Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places #89000834.

Also see . . . South Dakota SP Watertown Commercial Historic District | National Archives Catalog. From the National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet (1989):

"(121) First Congregational Church; 1916-7; replaced 1881 church; 1923 membership at 466; red-brown brick; tan brick trim; Georgian Revival Style; gabled with large gabled entry porch with columns; east gable rather busy design: large Palladian window, tan trim outlines window, doors, 2 doors with pedimented canopy with consoles, multiple royal blue panes; few
November 10, 2024

2. First Congregational Church & Marker
alterations: small brick gabled entry to basement, rear brick addition at NW corner which connects with Manse; contributing"

"The Watertown Commercial Historic District is ... a homogenous collection of mostly commercial, 2-story, brick buildings, many dating from the turn of the century. ... Through scale (many 1- and 2-story buildings), materials (brick in brown shades, Kasota stone trim), and the presence of many buildings from the 1898-1915 period, the district conveys a unified and attractive appearance. Design features such as brick dentils further distinguish the district while reinforcing the feeling of a particular time and place. The high representation of 1898-1915-era buildings indicates the key development period of the district, while the wide span of construction dates from the 1880s to 1970 represent a continuum of commercial enterprise."

(Submitted on December 13, 2024.)

First Congregational Church image. Click for full size.

November 10, 2024

3. First Congregational Church

First Congregational Church, from the east image. Click for full size.

November 10, 2024

4. First Congregational Church, from the east

First Congregational Church Engraved Stone image. Click for full size.

November 10, 2024

5. First Congregational Church Engraved Stone

1879 – 1916
First Congregational Church
The Church of the Pilgrim Fathers

Credits. This page was last revised on December 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 13, 2024. This page has been viewed 170 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 13, 2024.