Natick, MA
Natick was incorporated as a town in 1781, though it began in 1651 as a Praying Indian settlement founded by missionary John Eliot. Its origins as one of New England’s first organized Native American Christian communities give the town a uniquely layered and complex history. Natick has been home to me since 1987, a place where I’ve watched history and community continue to unfold.
Recent Posts
Natick: The First Praying Indian Town
In 1651, missionary Rev. John Eliot established Natick as the first of the “Praying Indian” towns in Massachusetts. He named the town after the Natick American word Natick, translated as a place of hills or a place of searching. He worked closely with local Massachusett and Nipmic people, teaching them Christianity in their native tongue and translating the Bible […]
The Squares of Natick: Remembering the Names Behind Our Freedom
On a crisp fall day, walking through Natick is more than just enjoying the foliage — it’s also a journey through history. Scattered across town are memorial squares, quiet markers that carry the names of those who served, sacrificed, and shaped the story of our community. Three in particular stand out: Dennis J. Moran Square, […]
