Our History: A Tale of Two Churches
The Stratford Street Baptist Church, began in 1904 at the home of Harry Thompson. The group searched for a location to build their church and chose the corner of Anawan Street and Stratford Street. Plans for the building were finalized in 1907. Designed by Calvin Kiessling in the English Country Style, the Boston Daily Globe headlined that the church will be "an Ornament to The West Roxbury District” (Jan 27, 1907). The corner stone was laid on June 20, 1909 and the church was dedicated March 13, 1910. In 1954, the addition of Memorial Hall was celebrated allowing for greater service to the community.
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The West Roxbury Congregational Church, founded in 1891, built their new church on the corner of Mount Vernon and Centre Streets (on the site of the Old South Evangelical Church, c. 1835). With the tower being the highest point in the area and visible from the railroad stations, the town placed the clock there and always maintained it. In 1973, after the building was tragically destroyed by fire, the Congregational members were warmly welcomed to worship with the Stratford Street Baptist Church. Faced with challenges of re-building the church, the two congregations entered into talks to unite their churches.
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Out of the Ashes ....
In 1977, as a lasting gift to the community, members of The West Roxbury Congregational Church deeded the land where their building had stood to Trustees of the Boston Public Library. The land on Centre and Mount Vernon Streets now holds an addition to the West Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library. And in 1979, the bell from the West Roxbury Congregational Church was installed in the steeple of the Stratford Street United Church.
In 1977, as a lasting gift to the community, members of The West Roxbury Congregational Church deeded the land where their building had stood to Trustees of the Boston Public Library. The land on Centre and Mount Vernon Streets now holds an addition to the West Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library. And in 1979, the bell from the West Roxbury Congregational Church was installed in the steeple of the Stratford Street United Church.
The Stratford Street United Church
In 1977, the two congregations became one with the adoption of our name, The Stratford Street United Church. Although the American Baptist Church and Congregational Church (United Church of Christ) may seem like "strange bedfellows" the merger worked partly because of mutual need and partly because the two denominations had similar organizational structures and policies. Two important similarities are value for outreach missions and progressive roles for women. A long period of transition, which included retreats and listening sessions, allowed Stratford Street United Church to shape itself into what it is today, a united progressive church. We have become a vibrant church that serves the local area through mission, outreach, and community programs.
In keeping with these values, we enthusiastically share our church home with the congregation of Iglesia Cristiana "Nueva Vida" (IENV) along with many others who rent space within the church to offer various programs and activities for the greater West Roxbury community.
If interested in renting space for a single event or a series of events, complete information is at Rent Space.
In keeping with these values, we enthusiastically share our church home with the congregation of Iglesia Cristiana "Nueva Vida" (IENV) along with many others who rent space within the church to offer various programs and activities for the greater West Roxbury community.
If interested in renting space for a single event or a series of events, complete information is at Rent Space.