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. Due to 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 115 Front Street. Built in 1916, St. Rita’s Catholic Church is at 115 Front Street on the corner of Front and Vine Streets. It is a handsome rectangular, one-story, gable-roofed, and brick- and wood-trimmed building. Representing an interesting mix of the Classical Revival and Craftsman styles, the Front Street side of the building features three entrances that are recessed behind an entrance porch with columns. Its side walls are pierced by clear and stained-glass windows, and a small dome cupola bearing a cross rises from the eastern end of the roof. The exposed rafters of the eaves illustrate the Craftsman style.
