25 CENTRAL ST
architectural description
NRDIS NRMRA
Style: Greek Revival, Ital. porch
Other features: small barn at rear; Italianate entrance porch and one-story polygonal bay. 2 entrances / one in back earlier; 6 fireplaces; hip roof
historical narrative
Present owner: Christ church
Original owner: Dr. Samuel Johnson
Subsequent uses: tenement house (1850 - 1860), then church guest house, administration offices from 1904.
Themes: Architectural, Commerce, Community development, Religion
Historical significance: Given to Christ Church Parish, 1901 by Gallishan. This, with rectory, burial ground, once described by Bishop William Lawrence as "probably the largest church property owned by any parish in Massachusetts"
"Glebe" is an ecclestical term from medieval times, meaning land belonging to or yielding revenue to a parish church. In the past, church rented out rooms to boarders for additional income. Also used as guest house for church visitors at conferences, etc. George Gallishan lived here; his second wife's sister, Mrs. M. W. Blodgett came here from Haverhill to keep house. He willed house estate to church and she remained several years as housekeeper. (1904). 1915 - it was home to Nellie Bliss.
Originally built by Dr. Samuel Johnson for use as store, because it was on old Post Road to Boston (old railroad passed almost through front yard as it crossed Central Street., oldest through-road in town - B. G.) Later he converted it into a 2 story tenement.
Charlotte H. Abbot says David Hall lived here. He was killed in explosion at powerhouse, during revolution.
bibliography/references
Building marker: 1997
Andover Historical Society files. Charloette? Helen Abbot
Andover Townsman; 21 Oct 1954, pg. 8
Carpenter, Rev. C. "Scrapbooks"
Charlotte Helen Abbot - "Historical Andover" vol. 4, pg. 90
Goldsmith, Bessie; "Townswoman's Andover", #79, 1964, pg. 82 & 104
Interview with rector: Rev. J. Edison Pike
Patterson, Frances W. "Walking Together From the Past Into the Future", an Historical Sketch of the Parish of Christ Church, Andover, 1833 - 1975
Building marker: 1997
inventory data
| Place: | Andover Center |
| Historic District: | Not Applicable |
| Address: | 25 central st |
| Historic Name: | Johnson, Dr. Samuel House and Store. Also "Glebe house" or "Gallishan House" |
| Present Use: | church offices, administrator |
| Original Use: | residence and store |
| Date of Construction: | 1825 |
| Source: | Bessie Goldsmith |
| Style/Form: | Other |
| Architect/Builder: | |
| Foundation: | Brick/stone |
| Wall/Trim: | wood clapboards |
| Roof: | |
| Outbuildings / Secondary Structures | |
| Major Alterations: | front entry, probably added later (ca. 1845?) |
| Condition: | |
| Moved: | |
| Demolished: | |
| Acreage: | less than one acre; lot size: 16,400 sq. ft.; approx. frontage: Central Street - 93', Brook Street - 131' |
| Setting: | |
| MHC inventory number: | ANV.107 |
| Recorded by: | Stack/Mofford |
| Organization: | Andover Historical Commission |
| Date: | 1975 - 1977 |
other historic buildings
- on central st
- in Not Applicable
- with architectural style Other
Post Office Building
