Then and Now: Raising The Steeple
This week, we look at Centre Congregational Church during the Eisenhower years.
A handful of these recent "Then and Now" photos for Lynnfield have been coming from eBay, where somebody has been selling long-ago press photos that are of local historical interest.
Another such example comes to us this week, where we find an image for sale taken in the early spring of 1959 showing the Centre Congregational Church apparently getting a new steeple. A note on the back of the photo says that a 120-foot boom lifted the 5,000 pound spire to the top of the church. About three or four workers were waiting up top to help get the spire into place.
Finally - here's a related press photo up for sale right now on eBay, also showing the Centre Congregational Church. But this one is from 1957 and shows the structure without a steeple at all.
Steven
10:59 am on Monday, March 18, 2013
Bill,
The first photo shows the "new" steeple going on the new addition to the church which was completed I believe in 1960. The second photo shows the original chapel which is still there and was built in the 1800's. Our "new" church was designed by renowned architect Royal Barry Wills whose son Charlie Wills built most of the newer homes in Lynnfield during the 60's through the 80's. Lots of history there!
Steven R.
William Laforme
2:43 pm on Monday, March 18, 2013
Thanks Steven - I should try to find some other related stories, I know it's a historic church and I've also heard a little bit about the Wills homes in town but have never done anything on them...