Antique American Regionalism New England Rockport MA Cityscape Oil Painting

  
This is a lovely and vibrant Antique American Regionalism New England Rockport MA Cityscape Oil Painting on canvas, by regionally esteemed Nashville, Michigan painter, Mary Holman 1877 - 1975. This work depicts a lush and colorful cityscape scene of Jewett Street, in Rockport, Massachusetts. The historic First Congregational Church or "Old Sloop, " and its courtyard can be seen in the foreground, surrounded by blooming pink flowers. To the left of the scene is a tall oak tree, with a seagull foraging below it. Signed and dated: "Mary Holman'59" in the lower left corner. Additionally, this piece is titled in the lower left corner: Rockport, Mass. Approximately 29 3/4 x 34 inches including frame. Actual artwork is approximately 24 1/2 x 28 1/2 inches. Good condition for age, with some spots of minor paint loss, and some scuffing and dimpling to the canvas. Additionally, there is some moderate edge wear and material loss to the ornate midcentury wooden frame please see photos. Holman's original works are quite scarce, and seldomly come up for sale. If you like what you see, I encourage you to make an Offer. Please check out my other listings for more wonderful and unique artworks! Mary Holman, (1877 - 1975), was born in Nashville, Michigan and renovated an old Blacksmith Shop to create her own art gallery.

It was in 1963 and she was 86 years old at that time. About the First Congregational Church, Rockport, Massachusetts. Ebenezer Cleaveland and ten members organized this church. The cornerstone of the present building was laid in 1803.

The church was dedicated in 1804, and Rev. David Jewett was its first pastor. Fondly referred to as the "Old Sloop".

In town (a name conferred by local fishermen in the 1800s), the First Congregational Church of Rockport. Stands as one of the most prominent landmarks in the old village. The village of Sandy Bay (now downtown Rockport) had a growing population since the 1700s. Prior to 1755, churchgoers from Sandy Bay made the journey every Sunday. By horse or foot in good weather to the parish in Annisquam or the First Parish in Gloucester, and in poor weather, met in a small log schoolhouse on this site.

Eventually, a church building was erected in town, which was used until after the Revolutionary War. In 1805, a new meetinghouse was built where it stands today. In 1814, the British invaded Sandy Bay colony and residents rang the Old Sloop's bell to sound the alarm.

British forces fired a cannon at the bell to silence it, but hit the steeple instead. A replica cannonball can be seen to this day in the steeple as a nod to that historic event. In 1840, the people of Sandy Bay voted to establish the Town of Rockport.

At that time, the meetinghouse was completely redecorated, and the steeple enlarged. After the Civil War, the church was outgrown, and in 1872, the Old Sloop building was cut in half and separated by about twenty feet with an addition built in the middle.

At that time the steeple was enlarged and strengthened to accommodate a new and heavier bell and the Town Clock. In 2015, the church began a campaign. To replace the deteriorated steeple, which was rebuilt, faux cannonball and all!