Pittsfield in Berkshire County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

On This Site

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 20, 2026

1. On This Site Marker

Inscription.
On this site in 1791 a new meeting house of the First Congregational Parish in Pittsfield was being completed when several of its windows were broken as a result of ball games being played in its vicinity.

To protect the building, the town of Pittsfield that year voted a bylaw prohibiting the playing of "wicket, cricket, base ball, bat ball, foot ball, cat, fives, or any other game or games with ball" closer than eighty yards from the building.

This by-law is the first written reference to "base ball" in America.

The present building of the renamed First Church of Christ in Pittsfield, Congregational replaced the 1791 meeting house in 1853.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Religion & Religious Structures • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1791.

Location. 42° 26.92′ N, 73° 15.18′ W. Marker is in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in Berkshire County. It is on Park Place (U.S. 7) west of Allen Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 27 East St, Pittsfield MA 01201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Massachusetts’ Berkshires.

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 walking distance of this marker: Old Town Hall (a few steps from this marker); Berkshire County Vietnam War Memorial (within shouting distance of this

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marker); Mr. and Mrs. John Chandler Williams (within shouting distance of this marker); First Agricultural Fair (within shouting distance of this marker); Elkanah Watson (within shouting distance of this marker); Pittsfield Elm Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Pittsfield Soldiers Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Francis Joseph Quirico Court Complex (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pittsfield.

On This Site Marker on the grounds of the church building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 20, 2026

2. On This Site Marker on the grounds of the church building

The church building is currently home to Price Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 2 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 27, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.