Featured Project Return to Projects List
First Congregational Church
Project Information
- Project Location:
- Los Angeles, CA
- Status:
- Completed
- Structure Type:
- Church / Synagogue
Scope Of Work
Daniel Webster once called the First Congregational Church of Middleboro, also known as the Church of the Green, "the most beautiful church in New England." The present meetinghouse was built in 1828. Beautiful old front doors were warped and let in the cold air. Ceilings were pealing and in poor shape. Beautiful old windows were drafty and in poor condition. Exterior paint was in disrepair.
Today the classical Greek Ionic meetinghouse has been lovingly restored to replicate its original structure. Twelve foot Spanish red cedar doors have replaced the drafty originals. Ten new more energy efficient grand Palladian windows, each embellished with one hundred and nineteen intricate panes of glass, compliment the original exterior clapboards. The clapboards have been freshened up and repainted in a traditional New England white. Inside a thirty foot high pealing, once exquisite ceiling has been repaired. Beautiful period style lighting has replaced antique oil lamps and outdated electricity installed in 1954. Possibly the most beautiful part of the restoration is the Trompe-l’oeil painting on the walls and ceiling. Trompe-l’oeil is a classic art form that gives columns painted on the walls and a beautiful ceiling medallion a three dimensional effect. Detailed imagery is visualized to make you think the columns are real and the lovely ceiling medallion is multi-leveled.
The First Congregational Church, founded by the children of Mayflower Pilgrims remains a proud testimony to the faith of its early founders. Pastor Murdy states "By God's Grace this church has continued in its service for over 300 years."
