Dan Antion

Newton Waltham Leftovers

Welcome to Thursday Doors! This is a weekly challenge for people who love doors and architecture to come together to admire and share their favorite door photos, drawings, or other images or stories from around the world. If you’d like to join us, simply create your own Thursday Doors post each (or any) week and then share a link to your post in the comments below, anytime between 12:01 am Thursday morning and Saturday noon (North American eastern time). If you like, you can add our badge to your post.

I am at the point in my review of the pictures I took in Worcester, Waltham and Newton, Masachusetts where I no longer have doors related to the reason I was searching these towns, but I still have interesting doors to share. Many of the buildings in the gallery are on the U.S. National Registry of Historic Places. Unfortunately, these particular records have not been converted for digital access.

I was able to find some basic information on city and church websites, as well as on Wikipedia. This information is presented in the captions. Some are lengthy – you know the drill, open the gallery slideshow, click on the ‘i’ in the circle. I wish I had more information to offer.

I hope you also have time to visit some of the participants who have provided links and/or pingbacks to the doors they are sharing today. If you don’t have time today, please come back on Sunday for the weekly recap.

Goldstein Scrap Metal and Rigging Worcester Massachusetts. Rigging is focused on moving heavy equipment from industrial sites. I took this picture from Worcester Union station.
The First PArish complex in Waltham, Massachusetts
First Parish Waltham. This is one of the sad stories that I have often shared here. This parish dates back to 1696, but this building was built in 1933 after the previous church (built in 1767) was destroyed by fire. Today, this is a Unitarian meetinghouse today.
Parish house (perhaps community center) for the First Parish
Marine Recruiting Center in Waltham. This one is for Rivergirl
The Depot Cafe – Coming soon.
This building is being renovated to preserve the building and provide housing.
I took this photo and the other view from a traffic light. I have no idea what church we are looking at.
I took this photo and the other view from a traffic light. I have no idea what church we are looking at.
Historic Post Office in Waltham, Massachusetts. Built in 1935.
Trinity Church (The First Congregational Church of Waltham) (Waltham, Mass.)
Francis Buttrick Library, an architecturally significant Georgian Revival building built in 1915,
Trinity Church (The First Congregational Church of Waltham) (Waltham, Mass.)
Waltham Pumping Station. Part of the Massachusetts Water Authority.
Christ Church Episcopal. This parish was founded in 1848. The congregation moved into this building in 1902.
Christ Church Episcopal. This parish was founded in 1848. The congregation moved into this building in 1902.

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107 comments

    • The scrap metal building was one of my favorites from this trip, Teagan. I’ve been waiting for the chance to include it in the mix. Thanks for joining us and revealing a few hints as to where this story might go. I love the images you shared today.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    • I’m glad you like those, Teresa. When I see the steeples, I try to find the church. Busy streets and one-way streets sometimes makes it hard to get close enough for a good photo.

      Your doors are bright and welcoming.

      Like

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  7. I do like the scrap metal brick like looking building. I am intrigued by the unable to see the rest of “First Parish Waltham. This is one of the sad stories that I have often shared here” What happened?
    I have also done something a bit different this week :)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Ah yes, the WordPress caption truncation. To see the full caption, you have to find the little letter ‘i’ in a circle and click on that. Then the full caption repeats itself below. I’ve copied and pasted it below. A lot of churches succumbed to fire in the last part of the 19th century. Perhaps as they were adding heat to the buildings. I don’t know the history of this one, but that is frequently listed as the cause of the fire.

      “First Parish Waltham. This is one of the sad stories that I have often shared here. This parish dates back to 1696, but this building was built in 1933 after the previous church (built in 1767) was destroyed by fire. Today, this is a Unitarian meetinghouse today.”

      I like what you did today!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    • That is a remarkable library. I think I would visit that more often than I visit the one in our town. There were many churches to choose from today. The stone one is unique in the mix.

      I enjoyed seeing your photos.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    • The brick masons in the last part of the 19th century put a lot of effort into making the buildings stand out. I love it when one of those old industrial buildings finds new life and is preserved.

      Liked by 1 person

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    • The scrap metal building was one of the favorites from this trip. I took it from Worcester Union Station (It’s across the street) and I’ve been waiting to include it.

      Interesting doors (and a sad story) from you today.

      Like

      Reply

    • I was surprised by the number of churches. It wasn’t until I sorted through that I realized Trinity Church wasn’t just a different view of First Parish. Driving around trying to find my way back toward my destination was a bit of a challenge. I had to pull over several times to snag some photos.

      Liked by 1 person

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  19. Great photos! I like the first building (Goldstein Scrap Metal) it looks well-used over the years and still standing. I like the cracking paint and rugged stone facade. And, you must have been at quite the vantage point to obtain that high-angle view! Great capture.
    I also like the Trinity Church — a majestic edifice.
    And last but not least: Bravo to your capture of the Parish house of First Parish Waltham through the branches of the trees thereby producing a lovely lacey effect to the image! Wowza.
    I thoroughly enjoy viewing your photos as always. Thank you Dan.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thanks Suzette. The Scrap Metal building is across from Worcester Union Station (where this tour began). I took the photo from the second floor of the train station. I’ve been waiting for a chance to include it, but I wanted it to stand out in the gallery.

      The churches in Waltham were hard to photograph. I was on my way to meet a friend for breakfast, so most of the photos were from a traffic light or a space on the side of the road. I wish I had had the time to park and walk around for a while.

      I enjoyed your tour today and your poetry!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  25. Beautiful library. The entrance is fabulous! Also love the Christ Church Episcopal. Wonderful stonework, especially the tower! The Unitarian Meeting House is an imposing structure and the bell tower and entrance really grab your attention. Last but not least, the scrap metal building…sadly neglected but still proudly standing! I’d love to see that building repurposed. It has spunk!

    Ginger

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thanks Ginger. The scrap metal building is across from Worcester Union Station. That’s where I took the picture from. I’ve been waiting to give it a chance to shine. I really like the building. Churches are always a good choice for great doors, and I love the details in the brick buildings. I’m glad you agree!

      Liked by 1 person

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  26. One of the many reasons I loved living in Connecticut and traveling to nearby States was the historical sites. Your door posts consistently amaze me for the same reason. Thank you for bringing the past to the present. Beautiful collection, Dan. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thanks Gwen. I’m glad to bring these out of the shadows. I a, also happy to find so many of these gems being maintained or put to new use. They represent an amazing period in our history.

      Like

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    • The scrap metal building is certainly a crowd pleaser, Lois. I’m glad so many people like it. It was one of the first pictures I took on this trip. It’s across from Worcester Union Station.

      Liked by 2 people

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  29. Trinity Church is a classic, isn’t it? Lovely doors as always. You know Dan, because of your dedication to this feature I always know when it is Thursday. No need for a calendar, I just look for your door posts.

    Liked by 1 person

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  42. A fine selection of buildings. Your unknown church kept me busy but alas, I couldn’t find it this time, not even with my magic tool. I really like it though.

    I had to title my post Thursday not really Doors, but I wanted to show you my walk from the station home. It took me an hour. I don’t often walk as much and I liked it a lot. There were some gates and… holes. https://manjameximexcessive6.wordpress.com/2023/03/16/thursday-not-really-doors-16-3-23-capalbio-scalo/#Tuscany#Capalbio#spring

    Liked by 1 person

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  43. It is so nice to sit back and stroll through your photographs. I would love to have had the time, the skill and/or the money to renovate an old church or warehouse. Which is why my favourite TV channel is HGTV. Lovely doors, lovely buildings.

    Liked by 1 person

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  47. The Scrap Metal and Rigging building looks like a gem waiting to be revitalized into something new and old but gorgeous. I’m seriously behind today but I’ve gotten a lot done that’s kept me offline, like weeding after our big rain and so forth. The great news is that our taxes are on their overnight way to our tax many, so a big load off of me!!

    Now everyone get ready to do a deep dive into the ocean for today’s doors: https://sustainabilitea.wordpress.com/2023/03/16/thursday-doorsunder-the-sea/#RedondoBeach#streetart#underthatsea#oceancritters.

    janet

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Sorry about the omission of the link yesterday. The Thursday Doors badge shows on a Doors post or a One-Liner post, but I forgot to set the category yesterday. I enjoyed your doors and the murals.

      The scrap metal building has gotten a lot of attention today. It is still in operation, but perhaps in the future. We had rain and snow this week, but we are a long way away from weeding. I hope you have a nice weekend.

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    • Just keeping one of the best traditions Norm instituted when he started this challenge, Patricia. I always liked that Thursday Doors stayed open until Saturday. I enjoyed your post. A little bit of everything, but you pulled it all together very well.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  49. Hi Dan – come over here for some St Patrick’s Day clover loving rain! I like the Goldstein one … as too learning about the sad story and the church. Interesting range of buildings – lovely looking library … I always love looking – cheers Hilary

    Liked by 1 person

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  50. What a great tour! Waltham appears to have a hard-working and hard-praying history. I really enjoy seeing these old sturdy buildings, and especially the churches. Such long lives to them! I was very much intrigued by the close-up of the Christ Church Episcopal — everything about it seems to want to tell a story. Founded in 1848, it’s kind of the new kid in town, isn’t it? That library and post office make our sleek modern versions look pretty bland!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • As much as I like our town’s library, I was living here when they built it. Nothing like the old standard in Waltham, that’s for sure. When you see a sign that says 1696 (the year the parish was founded) and look at the magnificent building that stands, you know there was growth, or movement, or a fire. In this case, a combination of growth and fire. Maybe that’s why the episcopal congregation chose stone as a building material. If only these doors could talk.

      I hope you have a nice weekend, Maureen.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  51. […] Note: I’m leaving comments open here, in case you want to comment on the photos. Please leave comments about the review at Marian’s place. I’ll find you there. And, if you were looking for Thursday Doors, it’s still open and you can find it over here. […]

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  52. I LOVE your Doors posts, Dan. You celebrate old buildings that are a part of history. When I view your photos, even though I have never visited the locations I am filled with a sense of nostalgia and familiarity. Your posts remind me of my past, and the stories that have come through buildings that have been my home, church, school. Many thanks!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • I was on my way to meet a friend for lunch, Brenda, so I didn’t have time to park for a while.I couldn’t believe how many churches I passed.

      I love the spring colors in your photos!

      Like

      Reply

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