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 into Algonquian, launching America’s first Bible printed in an Indigenous language
On this site, in South Natick, the first Indian meetinghouse was built. It served not only as a church but also as a public town meeting house for the Indigenous community living here
Read More From Nancy
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, […]
Georgia Colonial 1700’s
I love the connection to Colonial America that is still evident on my daily walks around Natick. Here is another example of a Georgian Colonial that dates back to the 1700s. The land was originally purchased from the Praying Indian community of Natick in 1730. South Natick itself was one of the earliest Praying Towns, founded by […]
Morse Institute
In the center of Natick stands a building that reflects generosity and vision: The Morse Institute Library, established in 1873. This library was not simply constructed as a civic project. It was created through the will of Mary Ann Morse, who chose to leave a lasting gift to her community. The building itself was erected on the very site […]
