Our Building - 292 State Street

South Church’s current building, the Stone Church, as it was called when it was built 1824-26, was probably designed by Jonathan Folsom, a joiner originally from Exeter who is credited with many brick landmarks built in Portsmouth after the 1813 fire. South Church has been erroneously attributed to Alexander Parris who introduced the Greek Revival into New England first at Boston’s St. John’s Church in 1819. It is believed that Parris destined his 1828 Congregational Church in Quincy, Massachusetts in response to plans of the Portsmouth church shown to him by the Quincy building committee.

Folsom acted as architect as well as master builder for South Church. A large granite structure with a short square tower and a Greek Revival portico of four Doric columns, South Church was promoted by the New England Galaxy as “a model for the next church in Boston”, because of its beautiful design.

Upon completion the church had only one balcony in the rear of the building for the choir, a departure from the usual side-gallery design. The organ was concealed within the rear wall so that only the front of it was visible from below. A high pulpit was originally installed, then replaced in 1841 with a lower one not only because of changing stylistic tastes but also

“for the safety of the pastor’s health & for the convenience of hearing and thus for the benefit of the whole parish.”

After thirty years the Stone Church underwent significant alterations. Masons carefully disassembled the rear stone wall and built new side walls, then reassembled the rear wall seventeen feet from its original location, which allowed for a larger organ and choir in the rear of the pulpit.

Interior changes included new Corinthian capitals and entablatures for the existing fluted pilaster, an arched ceiling paneled with ornamental moldings, and a

“rich scroll work canopy, supported by fluted columns and rich capitals”.

Under the supervision of Boston architect, S.S. Woodcok, plastering and stucco work were done by john Mack of Lowell; carpentry by Geo. Hanson of Malden; and masonry by Thos. J. Widden of Boston.

On Christmas day of 1858 South Church was reopened and rededicated.

In this century renovations were made in 1925 and in 1947 when the basement was created. In 1953 the present organ was added and the sanctuary remodeled. Over those years members of South Church’s congregation wrested with important issues concerning its large, architecturally distinctive stone building. After considering a range of options, the congregation voted unanimously in 1984 to remain in its granite edifice and to undertake the capital improvements which have made the building more attractive and more functional to meet the needs of its flourishing congregation.

There was a major renovation project at South Church in the late 80s. In February, 1986 the Board approved a capital campaign to raise funds to fix the building which was in need of some major repairs first outlined in 1984. Over $156,000 was raised of the $200,000 goal and work began in June, 1987. Summer and fall services were held at Temple Israel and a rededication service was held at South church in November of that year. Major work was done on the Sanctuary, the "Undercroft" (Fellowship Hall) and the roof. Other important improvements had to wait years until our most recent campaign when we did the elevator,
office and finally, the heating.

Contributions to our Restoration Fund are always needed and welcomed.

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Brief History of South Church

1627 – First religious congregation gathered in Portsmouth

1636 – First chapel erected in Portsmouth

1657 – New “meeting house” built at South Mill Pond dam

1713 – Town church divided, amid controversy, into North Parish now North Church, and South Parish now South Church.

1731 – “Old South Church” built on Meetinghouse Hill, replaced by present Children’s Museum building in 1863

1777 – Universalist Church formed in Portsmouth

1808 – New Universalist Church building erected on Pleasant Street

1819 – Dr. Nathan Parker leads South Parish into Unitarianism

1824 – Construction begins on present South Church Building

1858 – Court Street end of South Church added. Current pews installed and interior modified

1896 – Universalist Church building destroyed by fire, and new “brick church” built

1925 – Interior of South Church renovated

1945 – Universalist Church and South Church become federated

1947 – “Brick church” burns, prompting full merger. Basement of South Church created

1953 – Organ, formerly in National Cathedral, installed and sanctuary remodeled

1973 – Dover Unitarian-Universalist Church merged into South Church

1987 – Complete restoration of sanctuary of South Church and renovation of parish hall