The Northampton Meetinghouse

Drawing of the third meetinghouse on 129 Main.
Third Meetinghouse, built in 1737. Historic Northampton (ID no. 1986.106.1).
Photograph of the plaque representing the location of the old Third Meetinghouse. The plaque is embedded into a stone step. The plaque is a copperish green, and the engraving reads: "THE SEMI-CIRCULAR STONE BELOW WAS THE STEP OF THE THIRD MEETING HOUSE 1737 - 1812 HERE REV. JONATHAN EDWARDS PREACHED 1727 - 1750."
Photograph of the step plaque.
Photograph of the memorial tablet depicting Jonathan Edwards in the First Church of Northampton. Jonathan Edwards is drawn in a common, semi-realistic colonial portrait style, and he is holding a book to his chest with one hand. His other hand is pointing downward. He is cut off around the leg and below is a plaque styled like a pulpit. The engraving reads: "IN MEMORY OF JONATHAN EDWARDS MINISTER OF NORTHAMPTON FROM FEBRUARY 15 1727 TO JUNE 22 1750. THE LAW OF TRUTH WAS IN HIS MOUTH AND UNRIGHTEOUSNESS WAS NOT FOUND IN ITS LIPS. HE WALKED WITH ME IN PEACE AND UPRIGHTNESS AND DID TURN MANY AWAY FROM INIQUITY. MAL2:6."
Memorial tablet depicting Jonathan Edwards at the First Church of Northampton

Jonathan Edwards Becomes Pastor

In 1726, Jonathan Edwards was called to assist his grandfather Solomon Stoddard in the ministry of the First Congregational Church. Edwards was ordained assistant pastor on February 15, 1727. When Stoddard died in 1729, Edwards became the town’s third pastor, serving until his dismissal in 1750.

Since 1655, there have been five meetinghouses or church buildings located in the center of Northampton on meetinghouse hill. From 1726 until 1737, Edwards preached in the second meetinghouse. After 1737, Edwards preached in the third meetinghouse, built during his ministry. The current church was built in 1877–1878.

The Current First Congregational Church

The current and fifth meetinghouse, designed by Peabody and Stearns, was dedicated on May 5, 1878 on the same site and stands today. At the entrance of the 1877–1878 church is a step from the third meetinghouse. Inside the sanctuary is a memorial tablet depicting Jonathan Edwards unveiled at a service held June 22, 1900. The tablet was designed by Herbert Adams with the assistance of Vincent C. Griffith for the architectural features and cast by the Roman Bronze Works of New York.

Inside the sanctuary of the church, there is a memorial tablet depicting Jonathan Edwards. It was unveiled at a service held June 22, 1900. The tablet was designed by Herbert Adams with the assistance of Vincent C. Griffith for the architectural features and cast by the Roman Bronze Works of New York.

The inscription reads:

IN MEMORY OF / JONATHAN EDWARDS / MINISTER OF NORTHAMPTON
FROM FEBRUARY 15 1727 TO JUNE 22 1750

THE LAW OF TRUTH WAS IN HIS MOUTH AND UNRIGHTEOUSNESS WAS NOT FOUND IN HIS LIPS. HE WALKED WITH ME IN PEACE AND UPRIGHTNESS
AND DID TURN MANY AWAY FROM INIQUITY. MAL. 2:6.