User:RGKMA/sandbox/First Church (Northampton, Massachusetts)

First Church of Christ
Church in 2011
42°19′8.9″N 72°37′52.2″W
Address	129 Main Street
Country	United States
Denomination	Congregationalism
Website	Church website
History
Founded	1654
Dedicated	May 5, 1878
Architecture
Architect(s)	Peabody & Stearns
Style	High Victorian Gothic, Romanesque Revival
Years built	1877–1878
Groundbreaking	May 1, 1877
Completed	April 20, 1878
Construction cost	$62,900
Specifications
Width	76 feet (23.2 m)
Tower height	190 feet (57.9 m)
Tenor bell weight	3,179 pounds (1,442 kg)
First Church of Christ
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
Coordinates	42°19′4.1″N 72°38′9.3″W
Part of	Northampton Downtown Historic District (ID76000270)
Designated CP	May 17, 1976

Church in the 1900s

The First Church of Christ is a historic congregational church located in Northampton, Massachusetts and a contributing property to the Northampton Downtown Historic District. The current church building is the fifth meetinghouse of the congregation and was built by Peabody & Stearns from 1877 to 1878. It features a clock by E. Howard & Co., a Johnson & Son organ, and stained glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Fifth meetinghouse (built 1878)

Design

The First Church of Christ is a Gothic Revival style church was built to a design by the Boston-based firm of Peabody & Stearns. Construction started in May 1877 and was complete in April 1878. P. B. Johnson was selected as the building contractor. The exterior of the building was constructed entirely of stone with a slate roof. The foundation was built with granite and the walls with randomly-coursed, quarry-faced Longmeadow brownstone. The church structure boasts a front-gabled nave flanked by cross-gable wings, adorned with high, sharply-pitched parapets. At its southeast corner, there is a buttressed square bell tower, crowned by a broach spire, is also built entirely of stone. The green and gold enameled clockwork located directly below the steeple was designed and built by E. Howard & Co. of Boston and weighs roughly 1,600 pounds. It was originally placed and is still currently owned and maintained by the city of Northampton. The bell was built by William Blake & Co. It weighs 3,179 pounds and is in the key of D.

The church extends 76 feet (23.2 m) on Main Street and 113 feet (34.4 m) on Center Street with a chapel 35 feet (10.7 m) by 76 feet (23.2 m) adjoining it in the rear. The front gable measures 90 feet (27.4 m) tall and is ornamented by a Greek cross. The side walls are 27 feet (8.2 m) tall and feature 12 side windows measuring 17 feet (5.2 m) tall with circular tops. The roof measures 56 feet (17.1 m) in length. The base of the tower is 18 square feet and rises 190 feet (57.9 m) above the sidewalk, and is topped with a 7-foot (2.1 m) high copper finial.

The interior features a spacious main audience room and chapel, with cherry wood pews designed to accommodate around 1,000 individuals. Its richly stenciled interior was originally adorned in ash wood and built with a hammerbeam roof and iron columns. The interior also contains a Johnson & Son Organ, which is situated directly behind the pulpit and displays a full front of 2,126 decorated pipes. The numerous large stained glass windows were elaborately designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

The main sanctuary room is 104 feet (31.7 m) by 72 feet (21.9 m) with a row of 6 iron columns (Healy Iron Works 23.5 ft high, 12 in diameter, fluted) on each side, the ceiling is 56 ft from the floor in the center. The intricate interior arch woodwork is of southern and yellow pine with the rest of the interior being of ash. There are 126 pews, capable of seating six persons each, which curve commencing on a radius of 100 feet (30.5 m) and decreasing as they approach the pulpit. The floor rises 2 feet (0.6 m) from the pulpit as it approaches the vestibule, which measures 12 feet (3.7 m) by 76 feet (23.2 m). A 22-foot (6.7 m) wide gallery containing 29 pews extends 5 feet (1.5 m) out from the front of the building and rises 8 feet (2.4 m) above the vestibule. The preacher's platform is located at the rear of the building and rises 3 feet (0.9 m) from the floor. The choir-gallery has accommodations for about 20 persons, and is about one foot higher than the pulpit-platform.

P. B. Johnson → Builder

S. L. Parsons → Cellar excavation

C. R. Dorsey → Foundation

J. Stebbins Lathrop → Cornerstone placed, taken from a corner of the 4th meetinghouse, placed at eastern corner of tower, 23in length 20in width, 11in height, inscribed with "1661–1877"

Madden & Walsh → Ashler work

Peter Madden & Co. → stone-laying

James & Marra → stone

R. R. Mayers → Brick backing and plastering

Day Brothers and Porter Nutting → Bricks

Mr. Ryan → Slating

Harry Williams (son of L. B. Williams) → Laid the capstone of spire, December 8, 1877

Kelley & Holland → window glass

William A. Keenan → Interior figure carving

E. P. Hall & Co. → Interior woodwork

Holyoke Lumber Co. → Lumber

Mr. Buckhardt → Preacher platform

W. J. McPherson → Wall decorations

Mitchell, Vance & Co. → Gas fixtures

Eames & Sprague → Furnaces

William Blake & Co. → Bell

N. B. Hussey & Co. → Plumbing and gutterwork

S. W. Lee → Gas piping

C. H. Jones → Finish, filling, varnish of interior woodwork, painting iron columns

Howard & Co. → Clock

Bevin Brothers → 175lbs of metal saved from 4th meetinghouse bell, they cast 1200 bells to be sold as mementos.

W. L. Smith & Co. → Cushions

H. D. Ostermoor & Co. → Cushion manufacturer

W. J. Sloan → Carpets

Peabody & Stearns → Chairs and communion table, built by Shaw & Appleton

Washburn Mfg. Co. → Chapel chairs

W. H. Nowell → Chapel platform desk

Theodore Strong Thompson (great-grandson of Caleb Strong) → Gifted the marble clock on the gallery front

Children of Jonathan Hunt Butler → Gifted the pulpit bible

C. B. Carlisle → Gifted vestibule and chapel entrance mats

Dedication → 1,500 people, J. L. Warriner on organ, Rev. C. B. Ferry, Rev. Gordon Hall, Rev. Jefferson, L. C. Seeyle, Rev. E. G. Cobb, William S. Leavitt

A continuation of the aesthetic of the exterior, the interior reflects the Victorian demand for craftsmanship and beauty. When entering the sanctuary from Main Street, the warmth of the whole building is expressed by space and light; the many colors of light reflected in the stained glass windows and the warm beauty of the cherry pews. Ten iron columns support the roof. From the top of each column rises a wooden pillar which supports the side arches. The ceiling is finished in spandrels and arches with heavy cross beams extending from side to side. Gothic arches springing from the top of the iron columns extend to the outer walls. Arches are carried from column to column the length of the building. The sanctuary floor is "bowled" rising two feet from the pulpit to the vestibule. The pews curve as they approach the pulpit. It is estimated that 1000 people can be seated in the sanctuary.

The preacher's platform, with desk, is at the rear end of the building, rising three feet from the floor. The whole interior of the meeting-house is handsomely finished in ash. Directly back of the pulpit is the organ, which presents a full front of displayed pipes finely decorated. It has 2126 pipes, with a full variety of stops. The choir-gallery has accommodations for about 20 persons, and is about one foot higher than the pulpit-platform. The building is lighted by gas, requiring 3-50 burners. The bell weighs 3179 pounds, and is upon the key of D. The clock is one of the best that modern science affords, and was put in by the town.

The entire cost of the building, including furniture, fixtures, and bell, was $62,900.

History

Third meetinghouse (built 1737)

Fourth meetinghouse (built 1811)

Five meetinghouses have been built for the First Church of Christ's congregation. The first meetinghouse was built in 1654 and was a sawn timber house, measuring 26 feet long, 18 feet wide, and 9 feet tall. The second was built in 1661 measuring 42 square feet and not costing over 150 pounds. The third built in 1737. Fourth in 1812 designed by Arthur Benjamin, which was destroyed by a fire in 1876.

The church's congregation was originally established in Northampton by representatives from the Churches of Christ in Dorchester, Roxbury, Springfield, and Hadley.

The first minister of the congregation was Elezear Mather from 1658 to 1669, followed by Solomon Stoddard from 1672 to 1729, then Stoddard's grandson, Jonathan Edwards, the third minister, serving until 1750.

Following the destruction of its fourth meetinghouse in July 1876, the parish convened to initiate plans for reconstruction, setting a budget not to exceed $50,000. Despite receiving numerous architectural proposals, none fit within the allocated budget. Consequently, a five-member building committee consisting of parishioners was formed with L. C. Seeyle being a notable committeeman. The committee tasked Peabody & Stearns, architects of nearby Smith College, with overseeing the project while adhering to cost constraints. Peabody & Stearns devised a Gothic-style design with cost-saving features such as stone construction for the exterior and a slate roof.

Bevin Brothers → 175lbs of metal saved from 4th meetinghouse bell, they cast 1200 bells to be sold as mementos.

Notable people

Notable members of the church throughout its history include: Moses Allen, Solomon Allen, Thomas Allen, William Allen, Isaac C. Bates, Josiah Clark, Charles Augustus Dewey, Timothy Dwight IV, Esther Edwards, Jonathan Edwards, Joseph Hawley, Sylvester Judd, Henry Lyman, William Lyman, Joseph Parsons Jr., Seth Pomeroy, L. Clark Seelye, Solomon Stoddard, Caleb Strong, John Strong, Benjamin Tappan, Oliver Warner, Josiah Whitney, and William Dwight Whitney.

https://mhc-macris.net/details?mhcid=nth.717

History

The congregation was established by representatives from the Churches of Christ from Dorchester, Roxbury, Springfield, and Hadley.

Five meetinghouses have been built for the First Church of Christ congregation. The first meetinghouse was built in 1654 and was a sawn timber house, measuring 26 feet long, 18 feet wide, and 9 feet tall. The second was built in 1661 (appointed John Stebbins and others) 42 square feet, not costing over 150 pounds. The third built in 1737. Fourth in 1812 designed by Arthur Benjamin, destroyed by a fire in 1876.

The first minister of the congregation was Elezear Mather from 1658 to 1669, followed by Solomon Stoddard from 1672 to 1729, then Stoddard's grandson, Jonathan Edwards, the third minister, serving from 1727 to 1750.

The First Churches Meetinghouse, built in 1878, appears on the National Register of Historic Places within the Downtown Northampton Historic District and sits on what has been traditionally called "Meetinghouse Hill". An integral part of Northampton's history, the Meetinghouse is noted with a historic kiosk as a major point of interest on Historic Northampton's Walking Tour. In the spring of 1988, the First Church of Christ in Northampton and the First Baptist Church of Northampton joined to become one church family, believing that they could better serve the community by combining resources. From that time onward, they have been known as "The First Churches". Like the original structure "built for the towne" in 1654, the current First Churches Meetinghouse has been used for worship and community gathering. These two functions remain the primary focus of First Churches and the Fifth Meetinghouse, a fully handicapped accessible building, has become a unique space used for a multi-faith worship, public forums and cultural events, and human service outreach. The Meetinghouse historically acted as a building open to use by all, and although Northampton is no longer a town with a common central religion, First Churches has endeavored to uphold the original intent of those who constructed the Meetinghouses over a period of 350 years.

Following the destruction of its fourth meetinghouse in July 1876, the parish convened to initiate plans for reconstruction, setting a budget not to exceed $50,000. Despite receiving numerous architectural proposals, none fit within the allocated budget. Consequently, a five-member building committee consisting of parishioners J. S. Lathrop, H. K. W. Dickinson, Webster Herrick, Rev. L. C. Seelye, and H. R. Hinckley.

, led by Peabody & Stearns of Boston, was tasked with overseeing the project while adhering to cost constraints. Fundraising efforts were launched separately to cover expenses beyond the construction budget.

Peabody & Stearns devised a Gothic-style design with cost-saving features such as stone construction for the exterior and a slate roof. Construction commenced in May 1877 and concluded in April 1878, with the cornerstone laid on July 12, 1877, precisely 216 years after the town's original vote to erect its second meeting-house. The new structure featured a spacious main audience room, a chapel, and a towering 190-foot spire. Its interior, adorned in ash wood, accommodated around 1000 individuals, complemented by an organ, choir gallery, and gas lighting.

Despite an initial budget of $50,000, the final cost amounted to $62,900, largely funded through private donations supplemented by insurance proceeds. The dedication service on May 5, 1878, marked the culmination of extensive community support, with pledges exceeding the remaining financial needs. The completion of grading, curbing, and walkway installation later that year brought the total project cost to $64,532. The achievement of constructing such a grand edifice within budget, and entirely paying for it before dedication, underscored the parish's commitment and efficiency, with the project executed without any reported accidents.

https://congregationallibrary.quartexcollections.com/manuscript-collections/browse-the-first-church-of-christ-records-of-northampton-massachusetts

https://archive.org/details/historicalcata00clar/page/n7/mode/2up

Design

https://archive.org/details/historyofconnect01lhev/page/208/mode/2up?q=%22Peabody%2C+Stearns%22

Fifth Meeting-House. — In July, 1876, as soon as practicable after the destruction of its meeting-house, the parish was called together, and voted unanimously to rebuild upon the old site, either of stone or brick, and at a cost not exceeding $50,000. A committee of fifteen was appointed to procure plans. Proposals were invited from architects, and on the 10th of August twenty-seven plans were presented. Four of these were recommended to the parish, but it was found that none of them could be built for the sum named, and a building committee of five persons was chosen, with full power to act in the matter, being restricted only as to cost. A committee to solicit subscriptions as well as a finance committee were appointed, and it was voted not to include bell, organ, furniture, heating apparatus, and architect's commission in the estimated cost of the building, — $50,000. In accordance with a petition authorized by the parish, the county commissioners discontinued the road between the old meeting-house and chapel. The latter was sold and moved away, as previously stated. The building committee consisted of J. S. Lathrop, H. K. W. Dickinson, Webster Herrick, Rev. L. C. Seelye, and H. R. Hinckley.

This committee engaged Messrs. Peabody & Stearns, of Boston, to make the plans and supervise the erection of the building. The committee intimated to them what was wanted, and the architects elaborated the design and perfected the building that to-day adorns the village with its graceful proportions and elegant interior. In general style it is Gothic, the break in the roof and the dormer windows giving all the effect of the clerestory, and at a much less cost. The exterior of the building is constructed entirely of stone, with slate roof. The foundations are of granite, and above the water-table the walls are of Longmeadow brownstone, ashlar work on horizontal beds. The tower and spire are built from foundation to apex entirely of stone. The walls are backed by eighteen inches of brick throughout, and the tower, in its lower story, has a backing of three feet of brick. The contract was awarded to Mr. P. B. Johnson, of Springfield, who commenced work on the 1st of May, 1877, and completed the house April 20, 1878. The building was located on the site of its predecessor, but ten feet farther back from the street. The cornerstone was laid with the usual ceremonies on the 12th of July, 1877. It consists of a block of brownstone taken from a corner of the meeting-house destroyed in 1876, and beneath it was deposited a box containing sundry documents appropriate to the occasion. The day chosen was most suitable, as it was on the 12th of July, 1661, two hundred and sixteen years previous, that the town of Northampton voted to erect its second meeting-house.

The new house extends 76 feet on Main Street by 113 on Centre, with a chapel 35 by 76 feet adjoining it in the rear. The edifice faces the south, with a tower at the southeastern corner. The tower is 18 feet square at the base, and rises 190 feet above the sidewalk. The main audience-room is 104 by 72 feet, with 126 pews, capable of seating six persons each. The floor is "bowled," rising two feet from pulpit to vestibule, and the pews are placed on a curve, commencing on a radius of 100 feet and decreasing as they approach the pulpit. The gallery extends across the front of the building over the vestibule, and contains 29 pews. About 1000 persons can be seated comfortably within the audience-room. The preacher's platform, with desk, is at the rear end of the building, rising three feet from the floor. The whole interior of the meeting-house is handsomely finished in ash. Directly back of the pulpit is the organ, which presents a full front of displayed pipes finely decorated. It has 2126 pipes, with a full variety of stops. The choir-gallery has accommodations for about 20 persons, and is about one foot higher than the pulpit-platform. The building is lighted by gas, requiring 3-50 burners. The bell weighs 3179 pounds, and is upon the key of D. The clock is one of the best that modern science affords, and was put in by the town.

The entire cost of the building, including furniture, fixtures, and bell, was $62,900. The sum of $51,000 was appropriated by the parish for building and heating apparatus. The committee expended for these purposes $50,900, or $100 less than the appropriation. The whole sum has been raised by private effort, with the exception of $27,250 received from insurance. The full amount was provided before the building was dedicated.

The first service in the new meeting-house was held on Sunday morning. May 5, 1878. It had been intended that the communion should be the first service held in it, but circumstances rendered it necessary that the exercises should be mainly financial. After closing up the building-accounts as far as possible, it was found that $5000 would be needed to pay all expenses and relieve the society from the burden of debt. Since the burning of the meeting-house the congregation had occupied the town-hall for religious meetings, and it had been determined to make an effort to obtain the requisite amount at the last meeting held in the hall, on Sunday, April 28th. That day, however, was so stormy and the attendance so small that the matter was postponed. Hence it was' brought up at the first meeting in the new house of worship. Appropriate remarks were made by the pastor and various members of the congregation. Subscription-papers were circulated, and in a short time it was announced that the desired amount had been pledged.

The dedication services were held on Sunday evening. May 5th. The house was crowded, every pew was closely packed, the aisles were filled with chairs, and many persons were standing about the doors in the vestibule. The audience numbered at least 1500 persons. The pastors of the Edwards, Unitarian, Baptist, and Florence Congregational Churches occupied seats upon the platform. The exercises were opened by a voluntary upon the organ by J. L. Warriner, followed by the singing of the Doxology by the choir and the audience. The divine blessing was invoked by Rev. C. B. Ferry, pastor of the Unitarian Church; a select passage of Scripture was read by Rev. Gordon Hall, D.D., pastor of the Edwards Church; the anthem, " Te Deum Laudamus," was announced by Rev. Mr. Jefferson, pastor of the Baptist Church, and finely rendered by the choir; a, statement from the building committee was read by President Seelye, of Smith College; the choir then sang the sentence, "The Lord is in his holy temple;" prayer was offered by Rev. E. G. Cobb, pastor of the Florence Congregational Church; an anthem was then sung by the choir; then followed the dedication sermon, by Rev. Wm. S. Leavitt, pastor of the church ; the dedication anthem was rendered by the choir; the prayer of dedication was offered by Rev. Mr. Leavitt; the hymn, " Jesus shall reign where'er the sun," was sung by the choir and the congregation; and the whole closed by the benediction, pronounced by Dr. Hall.

The meeting-house was dedicated before the grading was completed or the walks laid about it. The parish accordingly' voted in 1878 to appropriate $1700 for grading, curbing, fencing, and laying walks, and appointed a committee for that purpose. This work was accomplished during the summer of that year, for a trifle less than the appropriation; thus completing the whole and finishing the meeting-house within and without for the sum of $64,532. The building as a whole gives general satisfaction. It is a spacious, commodious, elegant structure, and will compare favorably with any of the more costly church edifices in this part of the State. The parish is to be especially congratulated upon obtaining so fine an edifice at such a reasonable cost, and, more than all, that it has been wholly paid for. The entire work has been carried through, from beginning to end, without accident to any person connected with it.

https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/image/992325046/?terms=%22peabody%20%26%20stearns%22&match=1

https://www.firstchurches.org/read-more-history

Major repairs and restoration in 2008: New slate roof and insulation, sanctuary walls and ceiling replaced, interior walls and wall stenciling restored to original design.

75 foot frontage, 30 feet from street

Notable people

1. Elezear Mather (1661–1669)
2. Solomon Stoddard (1672–1729)
3. Jonathan Edwards (1727–1750)
4. John Hooker (1754–1777)
5. Solomon Williams (1778–1823)
6. Mark Tucker (1824–1827)
7. I. S. Spencer (1828–1832)
8. Joseph Penny (1833–1835)
9. Charles Wiley (1837–1845)
10. E. Y. Smith (1845–1851)
11. J. P. Cleaveland (1853–1855)
12. Zachary Eddy (1858–1867)
13. William S. Leavitt (1867–1881)
14. Herbert W. Lathe (1882–1891)
15. Henry T. Rose (1891–1911)
16. William H. Butler (1911–1912)
17. Wendell Prime Keeler (1912–
    1. https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/image/836965648/?terms=%22First%20Church%20of%20Northampton%22&match=1
18. Richard Harold Clapp (1918–1923)
    1. https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/image/837213674/?terms=%22First%20Church%20of%20Northampton%22&match=1
    2. https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/image/840197430/?terms=%22First%20Church%20of%20Northampton%22&match=1
    3. https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/image/837097154/?terms=%22First%20Church%20of%20Northampton%22&match=1
19. John Whittier Darr (1924–1929)
    1. https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/image/837209723/?terms=%22First%20Church%20of%20Northampton%22&match=1
    2. https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/image/837203850/?terms=%22First%20Church%20of%20Northampton%22&match=1
    3. https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/image/837190737/?terms=%22First%20Church%20of%20Northampton%22&match=1

United with the Unitarian Church in 1930

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/185617681360

https://www.ebay.com/itm/255802344070

https://www.rubylane.com/item/2110780-0780/Antique-Hand-Colored-Postcard-TYPO-ERROR

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=hvd.32044086371499&seq=5

This is an architect-designed Gothic Revival style building based on the Early English Gothic style. The church design manages to demonstrate monumental features of the style on a relatively narrow city lot. The building is built of randomly-coursed, quarry-faced brownstone. It has a front-gabled nave with two cross-gable wings on the west, between which is a one-story side aisle. On the east there is a single cross-gable that does not extend beyond the plane of the nave. The nave has at its southeast corner a buttressed, square bell tower with a broached spire. That is, an octagonal spire set atop the square tower with half-pyramids making the transition from square to octagon. What is particularly fine about this spire is that rather than being roofed with slate or wood, it is brownstone sided. Further adding to the complexity and asymmetry of the building, on the southwest side of the nave in an angle between the nave and a buttress is an engaged octagonal tower with a stone roof. The main entry to the nave is a Gothic pointed arch with molded jambs. Two identical entries are located in the tower and the first wing on the west. These entries are also Gothic pointed arches, smaller in size than the center entry, their arches filled with carved, stone trefoil ornament. Above the center entry within a pointed arch surround is a rose window above a five-window arcade. A stringcourse runs between the window arcade and the main entry and encircles the building at that level. The wings of the building have high and sharply-pitched parapets that add verticality to the building. As an Early English Gothic Revival this building merges the Norman Romanesque asymmetry and heavy stone forms with the Gothic pointed arches and increased verticality. It is both an academic stylistic interpretation and a thoughtful response to the givens of its site.

Attached to the north elevation of the church is a veritable complex of additions. The first is a one-and-a-half story shed roof addition across the north elevation about one-and-a-half stories in height. To its northwest corner, under a side-gable roof is a wing that also is brownstone with a slate roof. In the angle created by the wing and the north elevation of the church is a two- part, two-story stucco ell. One of its sections has a hipped roof; the second section has a front-gable roof. They are each the equivalent of three bays in length and width.

The Fifth Meetinghouse on the north side of Northampton's Main Street was conceived in the urban environment of the 1870's. Its simple yet dominating tower, deep brown stone, and firm clean lines reflect the Beaux Arts eclecticism of the High Victorian Era; the Peabody and Stearns building also states the American emphasis on craftsmanship and materials—simplified yet dignified. The 19th century builders who constructed the Meetinghouse used mainly materials indigenous to Western Massachusetts, most notably the Longmeadow brownstone that gives it its distinctive color. The exterior of the building is constructed entirely of stone with a slate roof. The foundations are granite and above the water table the walls are Longmeadow brownstone. The tower and spire are built entirely of stone.

A continuation of the aesthetic of the exterior, the interior reflects the Victorian demand for craftsmanship and beauty. When entering the sanctuary from Main Street, the warmth of the whole building is expressed by space and light; the many colors of light reflected in the stained glass windows and the warm beauty of the cherry pews. Ten iron columns support the roof. From the top of each column rises a wooden pillar which supports the side arches. The ceiling is finished in spandrels and arches with heavy cross beams extending from side to side. Gothic arches springing from the top of the iron columns extend to the outer walls. Arches are carried from column to column the length of the building. The sanctuary floor is "bowled" rising two feet from the pulpit to the vestibule. The pews curve as they approach the pulpit. It is estimated that 1000 people can be seated in the sanctuary.

The many large colored glass windows are made of leaded colored cathedral glass. All are of elaborate design. On the west wall is the window titled "The Stream of Life" (1899) signed by L.Tiffany.

The organ, built by Ernest M . Skinner, is situated directly back of the pulpit and presents a full front of displayed decorated pipes.

The clockworks are owned and maintained by the city of Northampton. Built by E. Howard and Co. of Boston, enameled in green and gold and weighing 1,600 pounds, they sit in a glass case below the steeple.

The church is an outstanding example of the creativity and originality connected with the Gothic Revival for it is not so much a revival as an interpretation of 13th century architecture in 19th century terms. In contrast to much 1870's architecture, the building is basically monochrome but it is polytextural, for the rockfaced texture of the brownstone walls is contrasted with the smoothly cut brownstone trim. There are some intensely glowing Tiffany windows and the interior as a whole is extremely rich. Slender iron columns support exposed timber beams and the whole is generously stenciled in the deep colors Victorians loved.

— Helen Searing