First Baptist Church

First Baptist Church is a building located on Worcester Road in Framingham that began holding services in 1827. The structure underwent major changes in 1881, creating a raised sanctuary level and enclosing the basement into a finished space.

The building was constructed in 1826 and began services the following year under Reverend Charles Train. The 1881 renovation significantly altered its interior structure, eventually leading to its recognition on the National Register of Historic Places.

The name reflects the Baptist emphasis on believer baptism, and visitors can observe how the enclosed galleries upstairs once functioned as separate seating areas for different groups. The physical arrangement shows how social divisions were built into the architecture itself, with sealed spaces telling a story of who sat where.

The building is actively used and visitors should plan to visit during public hours when services or tours are available. The location on Worcester Road makes it easy to find and the site is accessible by foot from local streets.

The basement was originally designed as an open space to accommodate horses during worship services, reflecting early transportation habits. This original use disappeared when the space was enclosed and redesigned during the major renovation of 1881.

Location: Framingham

GPS coordinates: 42.30032,-71.43953

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:44