North Avenue Congregational Church, Greek Revival church in Cambridge, US.
The North Avenue Congregational Church is a Greek Revival structure in Cambridge featuring Egyptian-style columns, symmetrical proportions, and a restored cupola. Today it houses the John and Carol Moriarty Library, which holds specialized collections in art and design for students.
The church was built in 1845 by architect Isaac Melvin for the Old Cambridge Baptist Church community, then relocated to its current site along Massachusetts Avenue in 1867. This move represented an unusual engineering solution for its time.
The building shifted from serving worshippers to serving students when Lesley University took it over in 2006 for their art and design programs.
The building sits on Massachusetts Avenue and is easy to locate in the Cambridge area. Keep in mind it now serves as a university library with hours that follow academic schedules.
In 2013, engineers relocated the entire structure about 100 feet south on its lot to make room for new construction at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Roseland Street. This feat demonstrated advanced engineering techniques for moving historic buildings without damaging them.
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