United First Parish Church, Quincy, Massachusetts

The United First Parish Church, in Quincy, Massachusetts, is a Unitarian Universalist congregation, established as the parish church of Quincy, Massachusetts in 1639, and rebuilt in 1828 to designs by Alexander Parris. The building is designated a National Historic Landmark and is part of the Adams National Historical Park.

Related Topics:
Quincy, Massachusetts - Unitarian Universalist - Parish church - 1639 - Alexander Parris - National Historic Landmark - Adams National Historical Park

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It is called the Church of the Presidents because two American Presidents, John Adams and John Quincy Adams, along with their wives, Abigail Adams and Louisa Catherine Adams attended this church and are buried inside.

Related Topics:
American Presidents - John Adams - John Quincy Adams - Abigail Adams - Louisa Catherine Adams

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The congregation first gathered in 1636 as a branch of the Church in Boston, becoming an independent church in 1639, then known as simply "Ye Church of Braintry", the whole area then being known as Braintree. It was a Puritan congregationalist church when it was first established but voted to become Unitarian in 1750.

Related Topics:
1636 - Braintree - Unitarian - 1750

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The 1828 church is constructed of Quincy granite. President John Adams financed its construction through a land donation, and the bulk of the granite comes from the Adams family quarry. However, the pillars are from another local quarry, as the Adams quarry was not deep enough for a full-height pillar. Its original bell was cast by Paul Revere but was melted down and recast as it was not loud enough to serve as a fire alarm. The unusual domed ceiling represents a passion flower surrounded by lotuses, and its fine original alter is mahogany.

Related Topics:
John Adams - Paul Revere - Passion flower - Lotus - Mahogany

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Both presidents, and their first ladies, are buried in a family vault in the church's basement. Only one other church in the United States contains a presidential tomb, namely the National Cathedral in Washington, D. C., which contains the remains of President Woodrow Wilson.

Related Topics:
National Cathedral - Washington, D. C. - Woodrow Wilson

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