Non-profit Friends of the 1836 Meeting House formed to support historic building in Old Center North Andover

The Friends of the 1836 Meeting House, a non-profit corporation, has been formed to help maintain North Andover’s iconic 1836 Meeting House,  a cornerstone of the Town Common in North Andover.  The group has applied for 501(3)(c) tax status.  The historic meeting house in North Andover’s Old Center is considered an iconic structure in North Andover and the Merrimack Valley with its  steeple and façade serving as a welcoming beacon day and night. The exisiting structure, the fifth Meeting House on the common, was built in 1836.It is part of the Old Center District of North Andover and is included in the National Historic Register and the North Andover Historic District Register.

Much work has been done to preserve the structure and maintain its importance in the community. The Friends of the 1836 Meeting House of North Andover, Inc. was created to inform, share and support the ongoing preservation efforts with the community at-large.

There is a rich history to the 183-year-old building, including a functioning Paul Revere bell, one of only 23 remaining bells cast by the famous patriot’s company.  The Meeting House is home to the North Parish Unitarian Universalist congregation as well as People’s Pantry food assistance program, McVagley Community GBLTQ Youth Support Group, and the Great Pond Sangha Buddhist meditation group.  In addition, the meeting house offers space to many community-related organizations including Bread & Roses meal preparation, Merrimac Valley People for Peace, addiction recovery support groups, and Community InRoads.

Come and join us for a tour of the 1836 Meeting House during the Trails & Sails: Exploring Heritage in Essex County event on September 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Email us for more information at Friends@1836MeetingHouse.org or visit our web site at www.1836MeetingHouse.org.