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Postcard. Postmark on the back is 1911.
Thr first building of the First Congregational Church was built in 1827 on the same land.
Lightening destroyed the steeple of the 300-seat church in 1874.
In 1885, the new 1500-seat church was built to accommodate a growing congregation.
CE#0038.0G Merrimack Street at Maiden Lane
April 20, 1916
Lowell City Engineers Collection (UMASS Lowell)
The facade of the church is on the right and this photo provides a good view of the cupolas and roof.
Detail from Lowell Atlas 1879
Before the “new” City Hall and the Library were built
Detail from Lowell Atlas 1892
After “new" City Hall and the Library were built
CE#0099.5P Merrimack Street and Maiden Lane
September 1, 1916
Lowell City Engineers Collection (UMASS Lowell)
Construction on the Dummer Street Extension. The future site of the Cardinal O'Connell Parkway
The wall of the First Congregational Church is on the right
CE #249
April 17, 1918
Lowell City Engineers Collection (UMASS Lowell)
Cardinal O'Connell Parkway
Lowell Courier, June 19, 1885
(If this is difficult to read, right click and save the image to your computer)
Lowell Sun, June 7, 1901
(If this is difficult to read, right click and save the image to your computer)
Rev. Smith Baker (1836 - 1917)
November 10, 1917
Lowell Sun, June 4, 1951
The auditorium-style sanctuary, a unique design for a church, has near-perfect acoustics. The space has been an ideal spot for performances and large gatherings, as well as community meetings.
The building has beautiful and vibrant stained glass windows. The small triangular window in the center reads “George Winslow Born 1803 Died 1884”. He is buried in the Lowell cemetery in a family plot with an artistic and ornate monument as the gravestone.
Lowell Historical Society
Annual Meeting and Presentation
Saturday, June 22, 2:00 PM
The Community Room at the Pollard Memorial Library
The Smith Baker Center:
The Lowell Cathedral’s Past, Present, and Future
Richard P. Howe, Jr.
Register of Deeds of the Middlesex Northern District
The history of the First Congregational Church and the Smith Baker Center
Dennis McCarthy
Lowell Architect
The architectural significance of the building
Paul Ratha Yem
Lowell City Councilor, District 7
The current status and actions by the city
Christine McCarron
Founder and Owner of The Beehive in Tyngsboro
The non-profit proposal and plans for the future
At the conclusion of the panel presentation, Dennis McCarthy will conduct a tour of
the exterior of the Smith Baker Center right across the street
https://www.lowellhistoricalsociety.org/news-events/
This is a free event open to the public
The annual meeting portion of the program will be very brief
See more about this event on the LHS Facebook page
