First Church in Cambridge Celebrates 375th Anniversary

Across from Cambridge Commons stands an old, almost forgotten, companion of Harvard. As old as Harvard itself, the First Church in Cambridge is celebrating its 375th anniversary this month.

Harvard and First Church’s partnership dates back to 1636, when both were founded. According to Stephen P. Shoemaker, an expert on the history of the College, the University gave up an offer to build on 300 acres of land in Salem, Mass. to be closer to the pastor of First Church, Thomas Shepherd. University founders wanted Shepherd to oversee the school and “maintain its theological purity.”

But during its early years, the University experienced much instability. In the 1639-40 academic year, Harvard was forced to close its doors because students refused to enroll due to the discovery of inedible food and administrator abuse the year before.

“And all of this happened with the minister of the First Church right next door,” Shoemaker says.

Throughout its long history as Harvard’s neighbor, First Church’s relationship with the University has gradually grown more distant. But, for its parishioners, First Church has remained an institution both steeped in history and committed to a progressive theological agenda.

AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP

As part of an anniversary lecture series, Shoemaker led a discussion in January at the First Church, where he described the church’s longtime connection to Harvard as intimate, “almost incestuous.”

Many of Harvard’s early presidents served as ministers of First Church. The University’s first, second, and fourth presidents—Henry Dunster, Charles Chauncy, and Urian Oakes—all served as ministers during their respective presidencies.

All members of the Harvard community—tutors, professors, and students—were required to attend services at First Church on Sundays and daily prayers until 1814, when the University began shifting from Trinitarian beliefs to Unitarian.

In response, some members stopped attending First Church and founded the First Parish Church in Cambridge with the help of funds from Harvard.

“After the split the relationship was fundamentally changed forever,” Shoemaker says.

ADAPTING TO HISTORY

As its relationship with the University changed, First Church also experienced several moves, switching locations six times over the past 200 years. Before settling into its current location on Garden Street, First Church was located on the corner of Mt. Auburn and Dunster Streets—the current location of the J. Press store—and has also resided where Lehman Hall now stands.

First Church has also been witness to many major historical events. In 1757, George Washington made a stop in Cambridge and worshipped in the church during the Revolutionary War.

During the Vietnam War, the church, as a sign of protest, covered a cross sitting on top of the altar with a black veil. That decision caused significant controversy among its members, some of whom left.

“We have grown to be open and flexible and have endeavored to be relevant to what’s going on at any given moment,” says Dan Smith, the current minister.

According to Smith, the church has been on the forefront of changing times, being open to gay couples since the early 1990s. Ten years later, the church inducted its first openly gay female minister, Mary Luti.

A COMMUNITY WITHIN

Though the church’s relationship with the University has been strained at some points, First Church has formed other life-long companions throughout the years.

Perry Neubauer and his wife, Susan have attended the church since the early 1960s.

“It’s my family, we don’t live geographically close to our family. They are not just a community, but family. My most meaningful experiences happened with this community,” says Susan, who is short in stature and always bears a slight smile.

“The spirit of the place is contagious,” adds Perry, who wears a green beret highlighting the whiteness of his hair.

Both life-long churchgoers, the Neubauers first decided to join First Church because of its convenient location and the quality of its choir.

As an architecture student at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, Perry helped remodel the interior of the church during renovations in the 1970s. He says he redesigned the sanctuary, bringing in a newer organ and communion table, and created a more open environment for congregational worship.

Over the years, the Neubauers have held leadership roles in almost every aspect of the church—chairing the grounds committee, serving as deacons, and participating in fellowship and the choir, where Susan is a soprano.

“It’s a full time job being a member of this church,” Perry says with a laugh.

“In churches, synagogues, or mosques you get to do the most important things of your life there,” Susan says. “You baptize your kids, memorialize people, and strengthen ties with the community.”

“Having this amazingly rich and long tradition has created a foundation for a community that can add a sense of stability,” Smith says. He explained that the church continues to uphold its traditions by reciting the original covenant every Sunday morning.

The church has also provided solace for its parishioners during times of upheaval.

Perry, holding back tears, recalled the assassination of John F. Kennedy and the comfort the church community provided.

“The night before we had prepared the hymn ‘How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place.’ When Jack Kennedy died we were so heart broken,” Perry says.

Minister Smith says that commitment to the community will remain a cornerstone of the Church’s mission, by being mindful of historical events and adaptations to modern times.

“My legacy is to keep the church relevant to our pluralistic context and to a time where a counter-cultural voice of social justice is needed in society,” Smith says.

-Staff writer Nathalie R. Miraval can be reached at nmiraval@college.harvard.edu.