Howard Street Church

Howard Street Church was formed in 1803 by members who left Tabernacle Church "on account

of dissatisfaction felt at the dismissal of the pastor, the Rev. Joshua Spaulding," according

to Osgood in Historical Sketch of Salem. After meeting in various places informally, they built a

meeting house in 1804 on Howard Street and Mr. Spaulding was installed in 1805. Spaulding left Salem

in 1814. Rev. Henry Blatchford was the next regular pastor. The church changed from Congregational to Presbyterian in 1815

then back to the original in 1828. The church suffered and then by 1864 the church ceased to exist.

The property was sold at auction in 1867.

The Church was near the burial ground, Howard Street Cemetery.

One distinct event that happened at this church was: On Aug. 23, 1813, the bodies of Capt. James Lawrence and Lieut. Augustus C. Ludlow, who

had been killed on board the frigate "Chesapeake" in her engagement with the "Shannon" were buried from this church, Judge Story delivering the eulogy.

See Also

Historical Sketch of Salem Osgood, p. 94-5

The Howard Street Church Streets of Salem Blog