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The Town & the City: Lowell before and after The Civil War

Originally created to be a digital archive for Lowell documents from 1826 to 1861, this website has grown to cover many periods and events in Lowell's history.

The First Congregational Church / Smith Baker Center

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 1300-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.