Everett Historical Commission dedicates First Congregational and Immaculate Conception Churches as historic city landmarks

Officials unveiled signs commemorating the historical significance of both locations

Special to The Advocate

The Everett Historical Commission hosted two dedication ceremonies on Wednesday, Oct. 16 to commemorate the historical significance of First Congregational Church and Immaculate Conception Church to Everett. Community members and elected officials joined with the Everett Historical Commission to honor and remember the history of both churches and their significance to Everett’s history. Emceed by City Clerk Sergio Cornelio, the Commission – led by Chairperson Lawrence Arinello – welcomed Superintendent of Schools William Hart, members of the City Council and School Committee and residents to the dedication ceremonies. Following the remarks, ceremony officials joined together to unveil the new signs in front of the churches that provide information about each site’s historical significance to Everett.

The dedication of First Congregational Church, which was built in 1852 and is the oldest church in Everett, commemorated the building’s significance as a place of worship for the community since its inception, including for many of Everett’s founding fathers and their families. The building is also the location where the residents of South Malden voted to separate from Malden to become the Town of Everett in 1870 and where residents voted again in 1892 to become the City of Everett. This location served as the City’s first City Hall until the first official building was constructed in 1893 at the same location where the current City Hall now stands.

The second dedication ceremony recognized the historical significance of Immaculate Conception Church, which was originally named St. Mary’s Church when it was first built in 1877, as Everett’s first Catholic church. It was designed by architect Patrick W. Ford. The cornerstone to this Gothic Revival structure was laid in 1896, and the church was completed in 1908 and has served Everett’s ever-changing community for more than a century.

These two historical buildings are now part of the Historical Commission’s self-guided walking tour. The tour seeks to highlight the importance of Everett’s history and provides the opportunity for participants to learn about historical sites through informational signs placed at each location throughout Everett. The ongoing project will eventually have nearly 100 locations dedicated to a person, historic event or location of a building that is considered part of the more than 150 years of Everett’s history.

To learn more about the walking tour, please contact the Office of the City Clerk at 617-394-2225.