South Parish Congregational Church and Parish House - 375 Missituk Ave
The South Parish Congregational Church and Parish House is a historic church at 375 Missituk Ave. Built in 1865, the church is a major Gothic Revival work of one of New Jerusalem's leading mid-19th century architects, George H. Hallwell, and its 1889 parish house, designed by Johnathan L. Phillips, is a rare example in the state of Stick style architecture. The congregation was established in 1773. Its first meeting house was built in 1795, and its second in 1809. That church was struck by lightning and burned in 1864, and the present church was built in 1865 as its replacement.
The parish house is located on the western part of the lot and is joined to the south-facing church by a connector. The church is an elaborate example of the Gothic Revival in granite, with a gabled slate roof broken by a clerestory. The front facade is in three sections, with the primary tower on the left and a secondary tower on the right, with the main entrance in a Gothic-arched opening in between. A large stained glass window adorns the wall above the main entrance, and there is a small round window near the peak of the gable. Both towers have buttressed corners, the right one rising to a steeply pitched gable roof with stepped gables, while the more dominating left one rises to a third stage belfry and octagonal steeple with flared edges.
This is the main church for New Jerusalem's old blue blood families, and many of the town's leading citizens attend it. It is currently overseen by Reverend Barty Dunne, a humorous man, who despite his very serious position among the town's upper crust always has a joke, jest, or jibe to share and laughs almost as much as he talks. The scions of the old families find him a bit annoying, but hardly anyone can find an ill word to say about him.
Type
Temple / Church
Parent Location
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