- The First Church in Swampscott,
- Congregational
- History of First Church in Swampscott
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The First Church in Swampscott, Congregational is so named because it was the first
church established in town. This lovely seaside community, which the native
Americans called "M'squ'ompskut," -- which means "Standing Red Rock,"
was settled by the English Puritans in 1629.
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In 1845, the Reverend Jonas Bowen Clarke began holding services in the
Redington Street schoolhouse. On July 1846, he organized First Church with 13
charter members and four years later dedicated the original Romanesque structure on Blaney
Street. In 1852, Swampscott, spurred by the young church, became a town separate
from Lynn. The Burrill Street colonial style church was dedicated in January,
1926. Development of the Monument Avenue site began with the Fellowship House, in
1955, and the present New England colonial church was completed in 1967.