The West Congregational Church of Taunton, formerly the Westville Congregational Church, is a historic church located at 415 Winthrop Street in Taunton, Massachusetts. Built in 1792 and moved to its present location in 1824, it is the city's oldest church building, and a well-preserved example of Federal period architecture. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.[1]
Westville Congregational Church | |
 | |
   | |
| Location | Taunton, Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°53′8″N 71°8′17″W / 41.88556°N 71.13806°W |
| Built | 1792 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| MPS | Taunton MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 84002266[1] |
| Added to NRHP | July 5, 1984 |
Description and history
editThe West Congregation Church is located in the center of Westville village on the west side of Taunton, at the northwest corner of Winthrop and North Walker Streets. It is a single-story rectangular wood frame structure, with a gable roof and clapboard siding. An entry vestibule projects from the east-facing front facade, topped by a gable roof and a square tower topped by an octagonal belfry and cupola. The main entry is framed by pilasters and topped by a cap-molded entablature.[2]
The West Congregational Society was organized in 1792 by dissenters from the First Parish Church, and built this meeting house in Oakland village at the corner of Glebe and Oakland Streets. In 1824 the building was disassembled and moved to the present location, on land purchased from John West, owner of the local mill. It is the city's oldest surviving church building, and a fine example of a Federal period church.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
- ^ a b "NRHP nomination and MACRIS inventory record for Westville Congregational Church". Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved 2015-07-06.