Central Congregational Church (Fall River, Massachusetts)

Central Congregational Church
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	Fall River, Massachusetts
Coordinates	41°42′10″N 71°9′14″W / 41.70278°N 71.15389°WCoordinates: 41°42′10″N 71°9′14″W / 41.70278°N 71.15389°W
Built	1875
Architect	Hartwell & Swasey
Architectural style	Other
MPS	Fall River MRA
NRHP Reference #	83000646[1]
Added to NRHP	February 16, 1983

Central Congregational Church is an historic church at 100 Rock Street in Fall River, Massachusetts. It was designed by Boston architects Hartwell & Swasey, who also designed several other notable buildings in Fall River, including the Academy Building and several city fire stations.

The church was built in 1875 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.^[2] It was well known in its early days for being the home church of Lizzie Borden and her family. It was the site used, in the spring of 1993, for the performance segment of the video for Cryin' by Aerosmith, who had played the area in the early days.

In the 1990s and 2000s, the church and abbey were renovated into the International Culinary Academy, with the Abbey Grille and classrooms in the abbey and a large function hall in the main church. The Academy and restaurant closed in March 2009, citing lack of funds (which had also been cited in connection with deterioration of the steeple, which has left it wrapped in black fabric and the surrounding sidewalk closed).^[3]

The Hook & Hastings organ was built some time ago. This Hook & Hastings organ is one of the only ones in the area. The organ is located in the main hall.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Fall River, Massachusetts
• Massasoit Fire House No. 5
• Pocasset Firehouse No. 7

References

1. Staff (2008-04-15). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
2. MHC Inventory Form
3. Herald News Article March 17, 2009