The Mendon Unitarian Church  --  1820

    The majestic beauty and grandeur of the Fifth Meeting House reflected the prosperity and prominence
    of Mendon's 1820 village center. The building it replaced had been located at the corner of Blackstone
    Street and Providence Road, just north of Old Cemetery. It had become unsightly and in need of
    repair. It had served a noble purpose during the American Revolution, but by 1819, after separation of
    church and state, it was necessary to have a new building in which to conduct religious services. The
    new house of worship, located at 13 Maple Street, was a symbol of architectural elegance, and it
    represented the wealth and social status of its 1820 congregation.

    The parishioners of the new church were an unusually talented group of people. Several were
    graduates of Harvard and Brown Universities. Many had achieved a high level of professional and
    political status. Their wealth was evident, as forty-three subscriptions were raised to pay for the
    building just three weeks after the first planning meeting was held. The building committee included a
    distinguished group: Congressman Jonathan Russell, former ambassador to France, England (War
    of 1812), Sweden, and Norway; Attorney Seth Hastings, bank president, superior court justice, and
    former congressman; Attorney Richard George; Attorney Caleb Hayward; Attorney William Soden
    Hastings; Attorney Caleb Allen; Seth Davenport Jr.; Amariah Taft; Elijah Taft; and Enos Taft. These
    people were highly respected and devoted to their church and town.

    The planning and construction went smoothly and quickly. The committee hired Elias Carter to design
    a plan. He was regarded as the most skilled architect in the region. Peter Holbrook, a former
    apprentice of Paul Revere, created the bell. Seth Hastings provided an acre of land on Maple Street for
    the new location. Within a year, the new Unitarian Church was completed. It had a five tier steeple,
    which rose one hundred thirty feet above the ground. It was dedicated on November 30, 1820, with
    Reverend Simeon Doggett continuing as pastor. Click here to see the plans.

    Historian Wendell Williams described 1820 Mendon as "a community of extremely well-to-do citizens.
    They compared most favorably with those of any town in the county in refinement, intelligence, wealth,
    and social standing." The elegant and stately church was a reflection of its parishioners. Today, it is
    an architectural treasure. Its spire continues to be a skyline landmark, which can be seen from great
    distances.  It is the focal point which characterizes our historic New England village. The church is a
    gift to our generation from our forefathers of long ago. It is a reminder of a special time in our history.
    Richard Grady - 2011
   
                      Church history at UU site                  The Church Bell                        Mendon Menu   

    Thanks to Paul Doucette and Doug Taylor for the photos on this page.

                                                                     Goss Hall

    The growing congregation needed more room for functions than the church could provide.  A
    function hall was authorized and built around 1968 includes a kitchen, large function room,
    modern bathrooms on the second or top floor and recreation plus meeting or spare rooms on
    the first (basement floor). An entryway at the level of the church gives access to both floors
    via stairways, similar to the design of a split-level home.  There is also an elevator which
    connects to both floors. The building of this hall, named Goss Hall (for Carlton Goss the
    builder) is illustrated in photographs from Doug Taylor, one of the carpenters at the job site.

   Church history at UU site                 The Church Bell   

    Hopedale Unitarian Church                             Mendon Menu