Springfield in Hampden County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

First Spiritualist Church

33-37 Bliss Street

— Built 1887 —

First Spiritualist Church Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 5, 2019

1. First Spiritualist Church Marker

Inscription. Originally the French Protestant Church, this edifice was erected with the support of Daniel Wesson, a local industrialist, to serve the small French-Canadian Protestant population in the City. In 1909, the building was given up by the French due to declining membership. For the next ten years it served a variety of ethnic groups including Italian Baptist and Black Protestant congregations. In 1919, the First Spiritualist Society, which was organized in 1850, purchased the church and has continued to use it.

This property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Erected by Springfield 350th Anniversary.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.

Location. 42° 5.915′ N, 72° 35.116′ W. Marker is in Springfield, Massachusetts, in Hampden County. Marker can be reached from Union Street south of Main Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the subject church, just to the right of the front entrance, facing Union Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: One MGM Way, Springfield MA 01105, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. French Congregational Church (within shouting distance

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of this marker); State Armory (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Howard Street School / WCA Boarding House (about 400 feet away); Theodore Seuss Geisel Was Born Here in 1904 (about 400 feet away); YWCA (about 500 feet away); Burbach, Bangs, and McKinney Blocks (about 700 feet away); Union House / Chandler Hotel / Edisonia Theater (about 700 feet away); Stockbridge Block (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Springfield.

Regarding First Spiritualist Church. National Register of Historic Places #83004288

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. French Congregational Church / First Spiritualist Church

Also see . . .
1. The French Congregational Church, known since 1919 as the First Spiritualist Church. The church was built in 1887 to a design by Samuel Provost, and is a distinctive local example of the High Victorian Gothic style. Its construction was underwritten by Daniel Wesson, in support of a group of French

First Spiritualist Church Marker<br>(<i>mounted to right of front entrance</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 5, 2019

2. First Spiritualist Church Marker
(mounted to right of front entrance)

Huguenot Protestants who worked at his firm, Smith & Wesson. (Submitted on July 30, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. 2016 Relocation of First Spiritualist Church (professional Youtube video). (Submitted on July 30, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

First Spiritualist Church (<i>southeast corner view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 5, 2019

3. First Spiritualist Church (southeast corner view)

First Spiritualist Church (<i>preserved in new location on Union Street as part of MGM complex</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 5, 2019

4. First Spiritualist Church (preserved in new location on Union Street as part of MGM complex)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 24, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 155 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 30, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.