First Church Congregational

First Church Congregational is a Gothic Revival church building in Methuen with granite walls and a slate roof. The tower at the corner of Pleasant and Stevens Streets features a crenellated top that marks the streetscape.

The stone structure was completed in 1855 and replaced an earlier meeting house that was originally built in 1729. The original building stood on Daddy Frye's Hill and was moved to this location in 1832 before being succeeded by the present structure.

The church displays a John LaFarge stained glass window from 1895 showing Christ's Resurrection, an important example of American religious art. Visitors can see this crafted work that enriches the interior of the building.

The building is located at a street corner and is easily visible from outside, situated within a historic district. The area around Pleasant and Stevens Streets is walkable and allows viewing the architecture from different angles.

The building was individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, well before the surrounding Pleasant-High Historic District received official recognition in 1984. This reflects the exceptional architectural quality that earned it early recognition.

Location: Methuen

Part of: Pleasant-High Historic District

GPS coordinates: 42.72944,-71.18556

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:05