The Great Awakening In Beverly: The Disestablishment Of First Parish Church

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First Parish Church Beverly c. 1795

The story of disestablishment in Massachusetts is often characterized as a struggle for the separation of church and state, waged between religious intellectuals, and punctuated by heroic legal battles in towns like Sandwich and Dedham. But the death of Beverly’s First Parish was not the result of disestablishment. Rather, upheavals brought about by the Great Awakening resulted in many religious and cultural shifts during the 18th century—both around New England and right here in Beverly. 

Join Historic Beverly on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at 7pm Eastern via Zoom as we welcome guest lecturer and First Parish Church historian Charles Wainwright to help us sort through the intersection of these concepts, and their lasting impact on the community. This program will explore the Great Awakening as it happened in Beverly; we’ll learn about key clergymen and other leaders, emerging populations of various denominations, the lasting effect on the First Parish Church, and its historical significance to Beverly’s inhabitants over the last three centuries. Charlie is THE local expert on First Parish Church, and he’s ready to unpack the sometimes complicated history for us. This illustrated presentation will include time for Q&A with our guest; questions encouraged! All are welcome.