129 RESERVATION RD
architectural description
NRDIS NRMRA
Style: Federal, Greek Revival & Romanesque
Other features: oldest church building now standing in Andover or North Andover.
historical narrative
Present owner: West Parish of Andover, Inc.
Original owner: The Westerly Meeting House Co., Cant. Solomon Holt - chairman
Themes: Architectural, Community development, Religion
Historical significance: Currently the oldest church building now standing in Andover. This meeting house was built with the funds of a private subscription of West Andover residents when the South Church decided not to fund a new meeting house "for worship in the westerly side of the Shawsheen River" in 1826. Rev. Samuel Jackson instituted as 1st minister, June 6, 1827.
Capt. Solomon Holt circulated the subscription and gave the land for the church. Shares were sold and the $5500 was raised in two years, mostly by pew sales. The cornerstone was laid June 15, 1826 by St. Mathews Lodge according to Masonic ritual. The church is of Andover ledge granite and was built by church laymen Captain Reuben Frye, mason; John and Cyrus Brown, carpenters. The exterior of the church is said to be copied from a Baptist church in Salem, the interior from a church in Dunstable. Church has 98 pews to seat over 600.
In 1826 building had 3 entrances, a square bell tower and two windows flanking the pulpit. In 1863, the two side doorways were removed, the present spire was added, and the windows behind the pulpit were removed. The remaining windows were also given "a different appearance" at this time.
Interior renovations occurred in 1843 & 1863, lowering the pulpit, removing the side galleries, and creating three aisles instead of two. 1863 - 1864 alterations included removal of the original belfry for present spire, new bell in 1865.
The West Parish is said to be the last purely ecclesiastical parish to be organized in Massachusetts.
Reuben Frye, the mason, also did several building at Phillips Academy. He arranged to have 50 casks of lime & lumber, 36,000 shingles, nails and glass brought from Salem, Mass. His initials are carved on the keystone over the Church's front entrance. Rev. Jackson built parsonage on Shawsheen Road & and sold it to successor: "copy of deed to Charles H. Pierce", Oct. 10, 1851. In 1960, 95 High Plain Rd. bought for West Parish parsonage.
Second form B: recorded by D. B. Woodworth, Andover Historical Society
bibliography/references
Edwards, Rev. Justin, "An Address Delivered at the Laying of the Cornerstone of West Meeting House in Andover, June 15, 1826", Andover: Newman, Flagg & Gould 1826.
Jackson, Rev. Samuel C. "A Sermon Delivered at the West Parish in Andover" Dec. 31, 1827. Andover, 1828.
"Articles of Faith and Form of Covenant Adopted by West Church in Andover" July 1, 1829. Andover: Flagg and Gould, 1829.
"Historic Sketches of the West Parish Church, Andover, Massachusetts", Andover, 1906, by Susanna Jackson et. al.
"Historical Manual of West Church and Parish of Andover, Mass.", with complete roll of the members of the church, 1826 - 1926. Andover Press, Dec 5, 1926.
May 1991 Andover Preservation Award
Clark, J. Edgar, "When We Were Very young": An Address to West Parish Church. Andover, 1926.
Carter, Herbert F., editor. "One Hundred and Thirty Years of Church and Parish History": The West Parish, Andover, Mass., 1826 - 1956.
"Supplement to the Historical Manual of the West Church and Parish" in Andover, Mass., 1926 - 1951.
Campbell, Eleanor. "West of the Shawsheen". Story of the people of the West Parish church in Andover, Mass., Andover, 1975.
Andover Townsman. July 9, 1926 and Oct. 25, 1955.
Dorman, Moses. Map of Andover, 1830
File attachments: Massachusetts Historical Commission
inventory data
| Place: | West Andover |
| Historic District: | West Parish Center NRH District |
| Address: | 129 reservation rd |
| Historic Name: | West Parish Congregational Meeting House |
| Present Use: | Church |
| Original Use: | Meeting house |
| Date of Construction: | Dec. 26, 1826, building dedicated |
| Source: | Date stone on building |
| Style/Form: | Federal |
| Architect/Builder: | Capt. Frye, mason; John & Cyrus Brown - carpenters |
| Foundation: | Fieldstone to ground |
| Wall/Trim: | stone w/ wooden trim |
| Roof: | |
| Outbuildings / Secondary Structures | Modern additions: vestry built across street in 1856 |
| Major Alterations: | interior - 1843; exterior - 1863 |
| Condition: | |
| Moved: | |
| Demolished: | |
| Acreage: | 1.05 acres |
| Setting: | |
| MHC inventory number: | |
| Recorded by: | Stack/Mofford |
| Organization: | Andover Historical Commission |
| Date: | August 1977 |
other historic buildings
- on reservation rd
- in West Parish Center NRH District
- with architectural style Federal
Post Office Building
