Congregational Library

The Congregational Library sits on the second floor of the Congregational House in Boston and holds over 250,000 items. The collection focuses on American religious history and includes church records, personal correspondence, and rare printed materials.

The library was founded in 1853 by Congregational ministers and started with just 56 books. The building moved to its current location on Beacon Street in 1898, where it has served as a research center ever since.

The collection documents the evolution of religious practices in American society through church records and manuscripts. Visitors can trace how religious communities changed over time.

The reading room is open to visitors Monday through Friday with entry from the side of the building. Researchers should ask in advance if they want to view specific collections, as some materials are provided upon request.

The building was designed in Georgian-Federal Revival style by renowned architects and has appeared in various films and television shows. This architectural backdrop makes the place interesting for visitors who care about historic design.

Location: Massachusetts

Website: http://congregationallibrary.org

GPS coordinates: 42.35811,-71.06221

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:07