20 Church Street

Description

This Greek Revival house, with a gable-to-street main block and a recessed wing on the left. Other additions include a one-story extended rear ell connected to a smaller, almost free-standing house, also Greek Revival in style. The facade of the main block displays a flushboarded shallow pediment, rectangular windows. The recessed doorway on the left has a full Greek Revival surround and operable sidelights. Corner pilasters and a continuous frieze are other details, also found on the left wing, where there is a similar recessed entrance that encompasses the doorway and the adjoining window. An exterior stone-chimney has been added to the end elevation of this wing. Most of the windows contain 6-over-6 sash, typical for the period.Today this house is architecturally significant as a classic, well-preserved example of the Greek Revival style, a distinctive form achieved by remodeling or rebuilding the original historically significant house on the property built in 1785 for Job Warner. In 1796 the earlier house was the site of the first town meeting held in Roxbury after the town charter was granted. About 1860 it was owned by Sheldon B Smith (b 1838). Sheldon, was a wealthy farmer and cheesemaker. Only 1.5 hours from NYC, easy commute to I84.