Eliot Church of South Natick

Amidst the vibrant tapestry of Natick’s history stands the Eliot Church of South Natick. It’s not just a building; it’s a testament to time, faith, and community. The Eliot Church of South Natick occupies a site steeped in history. In 1651, the first meetinghouse was built here. It served both as a church and a gathering place for the Praying Indians, led by Thomas Waban and Reverend John Eliot. The Eliot Church of South Natick you see today isn’t that original structure. The original church flourished initially but declined after Metacom’s War. The 1700s saw an influx of settlers, and a new church was formed. It was intended to unite both the Indians and the English settlers. Sadly, this vision faltered. Indian membership dwindled, and disputes arose among the settlers over the meetinghouse location and theology. Two factions emerged, eventually leading to a split. By the end of the century, the meetinghouse near the original site was abandoned and vandalized. The site remained vacant for over 25 years. Then, in 1828, the South Parish Congregational Church was incorporated. A new meetinghouse was built on the original land. That structure, with renovations in 1877, 1905, and 2005, is the Eliot Church of South Natick you see today. The church’s identity also evolved. While initially Congregational, its ministers leaned towards Unitarianism. In 1870, under Horatio Alger, Sr., it became the First Unitarian Parish of Natick. Financial difficulties marked the 20th century. The church shared ministers with Sherborn for a time. Eventually, both churches sought their own ministers. The John Eliot Congregational Church, formed nearby in 1860, also faced financial hardship. In 1944, they agreed to cooperate. For over fifty years, they worshipped and worked together, navigating their theological and organizational differences. Finally, in 1990, they merged to form the united Eliot Church of South Natick. Today, the Eliot Church of South Natick is a true community church. Its members come from diverse backgrounds, from Protestant and Catholic to Jewish and Unitarian-Universalist. It is affiliated with both the Unitarian-Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ.