Metro Center in Springfield in Hampden County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
The First Meeting House
Photographed by Marc Belanger, June 18, 2010
1. The First Meeting House Marker
Just east of here stood the first meeting house built in 1645. Past this point ran Meeting House Lane, which led to the first training field and burying ground on the bank of the Greate River.
Erected 1936 by Mercy Warren Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1645.
Location. 42° 6.071′ N, 72° 35.3′ W. Marker is in Springfield, Massachusetts, in Hampden County. It is in Metro Center. It is on Elm Street. The marker is affixed to a rock in the edge of a small park near city hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5 Elm St, Springfield MA 01103, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Massachusetts’ Knowledge Corridor and in Pioneer Valley. 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: Springfield Soldiers and Sailors Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Miles Morgan (within shouting distance of this marker); Old First Church (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Old First Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Hampden County Courthouse
this page online
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. For more detail on Old First Church and prior structures. The first meeting house was built by Lieut. Thomas Cooper, a carpenter by trade.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 9, 2017, by Marc Belanger of Reno, Nevada. This page has been viewed 611 times since then and 44 times this year. Last updated on June 29, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. Photo 1. submitted on September 9, 2017, by Marc Belanger of Reno, Nevada. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
