by Charles E Wainwright
If you have driven or walked down Cabot Street in downtown Beverly recently you have undoubtedly noticed the newly painted yellow church building at the corner of Essex Street. You may not be aware of the long and fascinating story of this beautiful structure, or its intimate role in the history of the city of Beverly.
First Meeting House, 1656
Although the Church was gathered in 1667, the first meeting house was built for the Parish in 1656, with the permission of the Salem Church. It was located near the old cemetery, at the current location of the “White Whale” on Hale Street. It was a primitive structure of undetermined size, with a dirt floor, and no paint or windows. Upon its belfry, a bell given by Capt. Thomas Lathrop was rung to call members to service. Lathrop obtained the bell as a war prize from [...]
