If you don't know, the city of Quincy (pronounced "Qwin-zee"), Massachusetts is the home of the 2nd and 6th Presidents of the United States. John Adams and John Quincy Adams were born there and are both buried at a church in the center of the city, in the center of what is now the "Hancock Adams Common."
CHURCH OF THE PRESIDENTS - United First Parish Church is an American Unitarian Universalist congregation. It was established as the parish church of Quincy in 1639. The current building was constructed in 1828 by noted Boston stonecutter Abner Joy to designs by Alexander Parris. It's located at 1306 Hancock St, Quincy, MA 02169
WHY IS THE CHURCH HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT? Both Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams were lifelong members of the Church. Their tombs stand in a crypt within the church, beside those of their wives, Abigail and Louisa Catherine. Also, the Patriot John Hancock was baptized in this church by his father, the Rev. John Hancock, who served here as a minister from 1726 to 1744.
CHURCH CHANGING - Prior to its establishment as an independent Church in 1639, it was located in what was then Mount Wollaston. In 1958, the Wollaston Unitarian Society merged with First Parish to become the United First Parish Church, Unitarian Universalist, of Quincy.
ABOUT THIS BUILDING - It is the congregation's fourth home and replaced the wooden Hancock Meeting House on the same site.
The current church was built of granite donated by John Adams, was designed by Alexander Parris and completed in 1828. The United First Parish Church building considered the finest existing Greek Revival church in New England, is a National Historic Landmark. It was designed by noted architect Alexander Parris, who also designed Quincy Market in Boston. Ironically, John Adams died before it was completed.
MODEL OF THE PREVIOUS CHURCH - In the basement is a model of the previous church that stood next to the existing structure. This was made of wood and torn down when the new church was built.
IF YOU VISIT - CLICK FOR WEBSITE - Tour Times: Mondays - Saturdays: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. Sundays: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm. There is no admission fee, but donations are welcome as the program is funded through the gifts of visitors. The suggested donation is $5.00 for adults and $4.00 for seniors and students. Children under 12 are free. No reservation is necessary, unless it is a larger group.
NEXT: Meet John Adams and Abigail Adams
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