Topsfield, Mass. Congregational Church
Collection History
Please note that as of January 2022, the Topsfield, Massachusetts. Congregational Church records, 1684-1869, and all future digital collections are now hosted on the library's new digital archive.
The Congregational church in Topsfield was founded in 1663 under the ministry of Rev. Thomas Gilbert. No records exist from this early period, until those kept by Rev. Joseph Capen from 1684-1742. Congregants constructed a meeting house on the Topsfield common in 1703. This building was replaced twice subsequently, in 1759 and 1842. The church continues to serve the community today as the Congregational Church of Topsfield, a member of the United Church of Christ,
The original manuscripts in this collection are owned by our project partners, the Phillips Library at the Peabody Essex Museum. They consist of two bound volumes of church records, encompassing the period from 1684-1869. These include meeting minutes, admissions and member lists, and listings of baptisms, marriages, and deaths. For additional information please see the Phillips Library catalog record.
Digital Materials
This loose collection of church records kept by Rev. Joseph Capen during his tenure at Topsfield includes admissions, member lists, baptisms, marriages, and a chronicle of events and meetings.
This bound volume includes lists of baptisms, deaths, marriages, admissions, and church meeting minutes.
Related Materials
Boxford, Mass. First Congregational Church, 1703-1823
Special Thanks
These digital resources have been made possible in part by the Council on Library and Information Resources, through a Digitizing Hidden Collections grant.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this resource do not necessarily represent those of the Council on Library and Information Resources.
