Friends of First Parish Meetinghouse – June 2016 Newsletter
P.O. Box 3754
Plymouth, Massachusetts 02361
(508) 747-1606
Built on the site where the Pilgrims gathered their meetinghouse nearly 400 years ago, First Parish symbolizes the birth of religious
freedom in America. Our records date back to 1606 in Scrooby, England, when the Separatists were forced to worship in secret in
the manor house of William Brewster.
First Parish Meetinghouse celebrates the Pilgrim’s through its Norman architecture, Arts and Crafts interior, and unique stained
glass windows that tell the Pilgrim story.
Introducing “Friends of First Parish Meetinghouse, Inc.”
Friends of First Parish Meetinghouse, Inc. is a non-profit whose purpose is to raise money for the restoration of First Parish
Meetinghouse, and to educate the members of First Parish and the general public about the significance of the site and building.
The Restoration Committee will still exist, but its function will be to identify restoration projects, obtain bids for the work and
apply for the funds from the Friends. We hope that as we separate from the Restoration Committee, we will be in a better
position to attract funds from foundations that do not give grants to religious organizations, and from individuals who may feel
uncomfortable doing so.
A Dog Walks into a Meetinghouse
Restoration Committee Contracts with
Spencer & Vogt Architects
Spencer & Vogt Architects is a well know and well
respected Boston area architectural firm that specializes
in restoration and preservation of historic properties.
Some of their many projects include Ames Chapel in
Hingham, Emmanuel Church in Boston, First Church in
Lancaster, First Church of Salem, and First Parish of
Wayland.
Thanks! Now that I have your attention, at least
temporarily, I want to talk about money.
Still with me? There is an old concept that has gained new
found and widespread popularity. It is often expressed in
the injunction, “pay it forward”. In a simple example,
paying it forward happens when the car in front of you
pays your toll at the toll booth. Has it ever happened to
you? How did you feel?
Friends of First Parish Meetinghouse has an extraordinary
opportunity to pay forward the gifts of the Pilgrims, who
ventured to this place of Plymouth close to 400 years ago.
We can continue their legacy: the principles of democracy
and freedom of religion represented in our iconic National
Memorial Pilgrim Church-- that must be restored. But it
takes money. Will you help us “pay it forward”?
So, as I was saying, this dog walks into a meetinghouse…
In our work with principle architect, Lynne Spencer, we
are focusing on the East-facing facade where there is the
most concern.
continued on next page
The North and South Narthexes exhibit continuously falling plaster and marble blocks are being pushed out of the wall due to the
saturation of the mortar between the exterior stones in the facade.
With the formation of the Friends non-profit, the Restoration Committee will continue to work with Lynne Spencer and her firm
in developing the projects that we can afford to take on. Needless to say, while some grants may be available, our success will
depend largely on individual donations to the Friends from those of you who value the restoration and preservation of this iconic
structure known as First Parish Meetinghouse, the National Memorial Pilgrim Church!
Reprinted by permission of The Mayflower Quarterly, Spring 2016 & Guy Moellendorf (Washington Society Governor).
Washington Society of Mayflower Descendants Donate to Pilgrim Church Restoration
by Washington Society Governor, Guy Moellendorf
The First Parish Church, Plymouth, Massachusetts, has historic stained glass and woodwork needing restoration. A few months
earlier, a fire had been set at the church, which fortunately was discovered and extinguished before extensive damage. Captain
Nick Parrott proposed to the Society Board that it donate to the church’s restoration fund. At its October meeting, the
Washington Society Board approved a donation of $500 toward restoration and decided to make an appeal for further donations
at its annual Compact Day meeting in November.
Eighty-five members and guests attended the Compact Day meeting. Society DGG and GSMD Executive Committee Member-atlarge Steve Arnold, created a First Parish Church display for members to see during the social time. Steve also made an appeal to
the attendees for donations during the business meeting. Attendees donated $546 by cash and check. Thus the Washington
Society members donated a total of $1,046.00 and a check was mailed to the Meeting House Restoration Fund in December.
We extend our sincere appreciation and thanks to the entire membership of the Washington Society for their support.
Help us Solve this Mystery
If anyone out there has any clue as to what the
inscription/markings on this piece of stone mean, we
would love to hear from you.
This stone is embedded in the Meetinghouse floor and
came from the threshold of the church in Delfshaven,
Holland where the Pilgrims prayed before departing for
England. It was given to First Parish by Senator George F.
Hoar in 1896.
Tidbits about our Famous Meetinghouse
Quarter sawn oak: What is it? Our Meetinghouse has
magnificent oak beams, arches, panels and pews
constructed from oak. As you probably know, oak is a
beautiful hardwood that resists damage. Quarter sawn
oak, which is emblematic of the 19th century Arts and
Crafts period, is an expensive lumbering method that
produces the prettiest wood graining and most warp
resistant pieces. Picture an oak log many feet long. The
log is rip sawn into quarters, then only the interior cuts
from each quarter are used in construction. Very
expensive? Yes, and beauty beyond compare.
Linen fold and scallops: What is it?
Wander the Back Roads of the South Shore of
Massachusetts
First Parish Meetinghouse is now a member of Back
Roads of the South Shore, a consortium of historical
organizations operating more than 32 historical sites in 10
towns across the South Shore of Massachusetts.
Hot off the Press!
Throughout the Meetinghouse you see oak paneling and
at each end, of each oak pew you see a scallop.
The paneling is hand carved by a wood craft artisan to
depict
First Parish’s beautiful 1899 Meetinghouse was
envisioned to be a lasting memorial to the Pilgrims—to
their beliefs and their legacy of religious and civic
freedom that continues to draw immigrants to America
from around the world.
At the Meetinghouse’s dedication in 1899, no doubt many
understood the symbolic meaning behind its architecture
and beautiful interior hand-carved elements and
stenciling. Gradually, however, much of this meaning
became obscured throughout the twentieth century.
Fortunately, thanks to Arts & Crafts scholar David
Berman, much of the symbolic code has been “cracked.”
In our newly published twenty-four page illustrated guide,
the symbolic meaning of First Parish’s Norman-inspired
façade and Arts & Crafts interior will be revealed,
hopefully heightening public awareness of the importance
of restoring and preserving this national treasure!
folded linen cloth. Each scallop is likewise hand crafted.
Each feature renders extraordinary beauty to the
magnificent sanctuary.
(Incidentally, when the Meetinghouse was constructed
there were no big box hardware stores, and modern
power tools were unknown.)
Our 2016 Tour Season is Upon Us
2015/2016 Accomplishments
We are open for tours every Friday & Saturday from
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. June through October. A $5.00
suggested donation is appreciated.

National Register of Historic Places plaque
unveiling ceremony held June 2015.
Special tour days, bus tours, or large groups can be
accommodated, but we ask that you contact us and make
special arrangements by calling: (508)747-1606 or
emailing us at:
[email protected]

Matching grant obtained from Cynthia Woods
Mitchell Fund to publish nearly completed guide
book on history and architectural significance of
First Parish.

501(c)3 Friends of First Parish: Hired lawyer and
began application process.

Committee decided to investigate possibility of
restoring façade and bell tower separately and
had an on-site visit from Spencer & Vogt. Their
proposal to draw up bid documents for the front
façade and bell tower were approved and signed
by Parish Committee.

Met with staff members of Preservation MA,
which is now located in Plymouth.

First Parish is one of the organizations who will
receive funds from the sale of the
commemorative 400th coin, if it is approved on
the federal level.

Cultural Council grant for $450 was awarded for
publication of First Parish Illustrated Guide.

Spencer & Vogt sent out 3 different bid requests
for restoration work on the front façade and bell
tower.
We are located at the top of Leyden Street in Town
Square, a 5-minute walk from the Mayflower II and
Plymouth Rock.
A tour of this historic Meetinghouse will be one of the
highlights during your visit to Plymouth.
All donations received from tours of First Parish are
specifically earmarked for our Restoration Projects.
In addition to the Meetinghouse’s ten carillon bells, one
of which was a gift from the residents of Plymouth,
England, the Meetinghouse bell tower also houses the
town’s Paul Revere bell, cast in 1801 and recast after
being damaged during the 1892 fire that destroyed the
fourth Meetinghouse.
Friends of First Parish Meetinghouse
Contact Information
Honorary Committee
Chair – Benjamin Brewster
Friends of First Parish Meetinghouse
The Rev. W. Scott Axford, M.Div., Pastor,
First Universalist Church, Providence, RI
19 Town Square
Plymouth, MA 02360
James W. Baker, Historian
(508) 747-1606
Peggy M. Baker, Director Emerita,
The Pilgrim Society & Pilgrim Hall Museum
Mailing address:
Dr. Jeremy Dupertuis Bangs, Director,
Leiden American Pilgrim Museum
Dennis Carlone, Owner, Carlone & Associates
P.O. Box 3754
Plymouth, MA 02361
Donna Curtin, Ph.D., Director,
Pilgrim Society & Pilgrim Hall Museum
Website - friendsfirstparishmeetinghouse.org
Ellie Donovan, Executive Director,
Plimoth Plantation
Email - [email protected]
Peter Forman, President & CEO,
South Shore Chamber of Commerce
The Rev. Ed Hardy, Minister
First Parish Church, Plymouth, MA
Christopher Hussey, AlA Emeritus
The Rev. Dan King, Minister,
First Parish Church, Kingston, MA
The Rev. Gary L. Marks, Pastor Emeritus,
Church of the Pilgrimage, Plymouth, MA
Hon. Therese Murray, Former President of the
Massachusetts Senate
Timothy Turner, Manager, Wampanoag Indigenous Program at Plimoth
Plantation &
Director, Native Plymouth Tours
Board of Directors
Jan Palmer-Tarbox, President
Jack Barwis, Vice President
Joyce Stewart, Treasurer
Donna Petrangelo, Clerk
Bonney Dyer
Rick McDonald
Julia Rose
This monument should stand not for perfection, not for a
particular religion, or particular politic, but for human
hope, for the desire to live a fuller life of freedom–
economic freedom, political freedom, and religious
freedom. This is holy ground–the holy ground of hope.
The holy ground of human capacity.
This is the sacred earth of the Wampanoags, sacred
ground of the Saints and Strangers, sacred ground– for
they sang and danced, and lived and died here, and so it is
sacred ground today, and in our trust– sacred, for we live,
laugh, and love here; we sing and dance here–here on our
sacred ground.
Rev. Ed Hardy
Dec. 1, 2013
Friends of First Parish Meetinghouse Donation Form
With each donation over $100.00, you will receive a copy of our 24 page full color illustrated guide.
Amount of donation enclosed:______________ Make your check payable to:
Friends of First Parish Meetinghouse, and mail to: P.O. Box 3754, Plymouth, MA 02361
Name:_____________________________________________________________________________
Street:_____________________________________________________________________________
City/Town:_______________________________________ State:______________ Zip:____________
Email:___________________________________________________ Phone:____________________
This donation is given: In Memory of/In Honor of:__________________________________________
Your support and contribution are greatly appreciated, thank you.