Then & Now: North Congregational Church

The present North Congregational Church at North Middleborough is the third church structure to stand on the site. On March 15, 1893, the previous church building was struck by lightning and burned. The congregation made an immediate decision to rebuild, and it was reported the following month:

“Active measures are being taken toward rebuilding the North Middleboro Congregational church lately burned by lightning. A building committee is trying to raise funds. There was an insurance of $6000 on the building and $1000 on the organ, this amount being largely available for use in the new building.”

Work commenced on the foundation in July, 1893, and the church was dedicated April 19, 1894. A noted feature of the 1893-94 church is the clock located in the tower which was manufactured and installed by the E. Howard Clock Company of Boston. Numerous public buildings throughout the country featured Howard clocks. The North Middleborough church was only the second building in Middleborough to incorporate a public clock. The first was the Central Baptist Church at Middleborough center which also featured a clock manufactured by the Howard Company.

Illustrations:
North Congregational Church, 38 Plymouth Street, Middleborough, MA, photograph by T. A. Richmond, c. 1901-02.

North Congregational Church, 38 Plymouth Street, Middleborough, MA, photograph by Michael J. Maddigan, October 3, 2006.

Sources:
Old Colony Memorial, April 8, 1893, page 4.