St. John's Congregational Church & Parsonage-Parish for Working Girls, Historic church complex in Springfield, United States.
St. John's is a church complex that combines a worship space with residential and educational buildings on two city blocks. Eight decorative stained-glass memorial windows adorn the Hancock Street facade of the main structure.
The congregation began as the Free Church in 1844 and merged with another Congregational body in 1889 to become St. John's. The buildings achieved National Register recognition in 2016 for their historic importance.
The church served as a gathering place where the African-American community built educational programs and support networks together. People came here to gain skills and find employment help, making it central to their neighborhood.
The buildings are located at the corner of Hancock and Union Streets in the downtown area. Visiting during daylight hours allows you to see the windows and architectural details most clearly.
The parish house contained a training school focused on domestic skills for working-class women seeking employment. The space later evolved into a multipurpose community center that served a wider range of needs during subsequent decades.
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