33 CENTRAL ST
architectural description
NRDIS NRMRA
Style: Richardsonian
Other features: burial ground at rear considered one of the finest examples of Romanesque church architecture.
historical narrative
Present owner: Christ Church, Diocese of Massachusetts
Original owner: same as present
Subsequent uses: Parish Hall - school for physically handicapped (1973 - present)
Themes: Architectural, Community development, Religion, Social/humanitarian
Historical significance: Abraham Morland?? (1772 - 1849) emigrated from England in 1801. "I solemly? vow to my God and Savior that I shall plant my mother's church somewhere in America, if I prosper," he said, and prosper he did, eventually heading the Marland Manufacturing Co. incorporated 1834. He resolved there would be an Episcopal church in Andover" even if the whole cost of it were born by myself alone." Christ Church was established in 1833, with first services held at South Church and the Masonic Hall meeting rooms. The first church building, further up Central Street towards Elm Square, was a neoclassic, wooden structure with four fluted columns and a wooden bell tower. Marland paid $6,000 to realize his dream, and gave the land on which the church was erected. This church was consecrated Oct. 31, 1837?? and the Rev. Samuel Fuller, a graduate of the Andover Theological Seminary, was instituted its first minister Nov. 1, 1837. Marland, his two sons and son-inlaw, Benjamin Punchard, were the church's chief promoters. Abraham Marland also gave the parsonage lot, built the first rectory, while his son John is credited with giving the burial ground behind.
The original building burned and the present building, designed by Hartwell & Richardson and built in 1887, is still considered one of the finest examples of Romanesque churches in New England.
The present building was primarily the gift of John Byers. The modern educational wing (1966) is an excellent blending of the old and the new, with the tans and browns of the old structure carried over in the new addition with stucco and wood.
bibliography/references
"History of the Parish of the Christ Church", from its origin to the present time, June 1854, Andover: John S. Flagg
"Semi-Centennial Celebration of Christ Church, Andover, Mass." All Saints Day, 1885, Andover: W. F. Draper, 1886
"Consecration of Christ Church, Andover". Tuesday, Jan. 4, 1887. Boston: T. R. Marvin & Son, 1887
Patterson, Frances W. The Parish of the Christ Church, Andover, Diocese of Mass., 1833 - 1975: " Walking Together From the Past Into the Future", An Historical Sketch of the Parish of Christ Church, Andover, 1975
inventory data
| Place: | Andover Center |
| Historic District: | Not Applicable |
| Address: | 33 central st |
| Historic Name: | Christ Episcopal Church |
| Present Use: | Episcopal church |
| Original Use: | Episcopal church |
| Date of Construction: | 1887 |
| Source: | cornerstone/see bibliography |
| Style/Form: | Other |
| Architect/Builder: | Hartwell & Richardson |
| Foundation: | |
| Wall/Trim: | stone on masonry |
| Roof: | |
| Outbuildings / Secondary Structures | parish hall |
| Major Alterations: | addition (1966) |
| Condition: | |
| Moved: | |
| Demolished: | |
| Acreage: | Lot size: 3.1 acres; approx. frontage: School Street - 560', Central Street - 260' |
| Setting: | |
| MHC inventory number: | ANV.109 |
| Recorded by: | Stack/Mofford |
| Organization: | Andover Historical Commission |
| Date: | August 1977 |
other historic buildings
- on central st
- in Not Applicable
- with architectural style Other
Bancroft Hall moving
