In 1998, the Sippican Historical Society commissioned an architectural survey of Marion’s historic homes and buildings. The survey was funded one-half by the Sippican Historical Society and one-half by the Massachusetts Historical Commission. Because of the limits of funding, not all of the historic buildings were surveyed, but over 100 were catalogued and photographed. The results of the survey are in digital form on the Massachusetts Historical Commission’s website and in four binders in the Sippican Historical Society’s office (and at the Marion Town Clerk’s office). Marion (Old Rochester) is one of the oldest towns in the United States, and the Sippican Historical Society maintains an extensive collection of documentation on its historic buildings. The Sippican Historical Society will preview one building a week so that the residents of Marion can understand more about its unique historical architecture. This installment features 13 County Road, the Marion Methodist Church.
The Marion Methodist Church at 13 County Road, an example of Italianate design, was built in 1865-1866. It occupies the site of an earlier church built in 1834 and known as the Methodist Protestant Church. The first minister was Rev. Calvin Cummings. The second pastor, Rev. Nathan S. Clark, lived nearby at 536 Front Street. Later ministers included N.W. Britton and R.H. Dorr. In 1866, this church became known as the Methodist Episcopal Church and Rev. Able served as its minister for only one year. Later ministers include D.J. Griffin (1867-1869), N.W. Chase (1870), J.B. Washburn (1872-1875), Fred Upham (1875-1876), E.W. Culver (1877-1878), T.B. Gurney (1879), Samuel McKeown (1880-1881), Daniel M. Rogers (1872), and J. Lincoln Litch (1883-1884). The church was sold in 2010.
