The Shirley Meeting House

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Shirley, MA
The Shirley Meeting House

Built in 1772, the Shirley Meeting House has served as a place for both town meetings and worship. Its now familiar bell tower and steeple was added about 1805.

The appearance of this venerable building has been altered substantially over its long life. The barn-like original structure had no steeple and was located on Shirley Common, near the present-day Civil War monument. Additional remodeling of the interior was done in the 1840s. The building was moved to its present location in 1853, making Shirley Common a pristine example of rural town center plan

ning. Today, the Meeting House serves Shirley and the area as the venue for civic and cultural events. Its beautiful hall with its superb acoustics, historic tracker organ, and baby grand piano has become a showcase for both local and professional musicians. With an incomparable location on Shirley Common and a rural backdrop that many photographers seek out, it is also the perfect setting for a special wedding. For over sixty years, the First Parish Meeting House Preservation Society has been the steward of the oldest public building in Shirley, its Meeting House. As a private nonprofit without taxpayer support, it more than ever needs your tax deductible support to continue with its preservation efforts and community events. Our goals are simple: Preserve the building and encourage its continued use. But, it can only be done with your help. Your support is vital and your membership is the important first step. Members also enjoy benefits including special events, reduced concert ticket prices, and discounted rentals. Visit our website and learn more. Please support the Meeting House by becoming a member and assuring that it will remain a point of pride and distinction for our town.

04/13/2026

This Saturday, April 18th, The Shirley Open Mic will host an Open Mic at The Shirley Meeting House at 7pm. Everyone welcome.

If you would like to play a song or two, sign up using the link below. (Live music only)
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18Si1LsAoG/

Sign up in advance to reserve your performance slot. 7:00 OPEN MIC - 2 songs - live music only Bonus points is you play a moon related song!!! $5.00 Cover New Location Shirley Meeting House 41 Brown Road Shirley, MA 01464

04/04/2026

First Concert of the season at the Shirley Meeting House coming up. Creeque Alley is back on Saturday, 4/11 at 7 pm. We look forward to seeing you there!

02/24/2026

We are pleased to announce the lineup of events taking place at the Meeting House throughout 2026. Our season begins with performances by Creeque Alley (Sean Fullerton and Dan Kirouac), guitarist, Scott Matsumoto and a special program celebrating America’s 250th anniversary - "A Story of America’s Song."

This year’s Music on the Porch series will spotlight artists Nancy Beaudette, Ellsworth & Hi ks, Pat Kenneally, and Bob Morse. Each performance provides a unique opportunity to enjoy live music while relaxing on the lawn in front of the Meeting House. Bring a blanket, a chair and a picnic lunch!

As autumn arrives, the Meeting House will host the Shirley Pumpkin Fest and the Shirley Film Fest, offering seasonal fun and entertainment for all ages. These events are community favorites and highlight local creativity and spirit.

We will conclude the year with our annual Candlelight Noel program. This event brings the community together to celebrate the holiday season in with story and song.

For more information about our programs and the Meeting House, please visit our website at https://www.shirleymeetinghouse.org/2026-events/

Remember to bookmark our events page to stay informed about any updates or changes to the schedule.

We look forward to welcoming you!

2026 Upcoming Events Creeque Alley – Saturday, April 11th, 7:00 pm “CREEQUE ALLEY”, an Acoustic duo featuring local musicians Sean Fullerton and Dan Kirouac, pay tribute to traditional American Folk Music, the early 1960’s Folk Revival, and the Folk Rock hits from the mid to late 1960’s. F...

01/20/2026

The Shirley Meeting House always looks pretty in the winter weather.

12/24/2025

Happy Holidays from the Shirley Meeting House . If you were unable to attend our Vespers program here’s a link to the video.

This is "8949-1-Candlelight Vespers 2025-2" by Shirley Public Access Corp on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

12/14/2025

What a wonderful evening at the Shirley Meeting House on December 7th. The connection between the audience and the performers was magical! Thank you to everyone and may you each have a blessed holiday season!

12/07/2025

One more video to remind you of our Annual Vespers Program. These photos go back to 2007. Do you recognize some of the people? Please join us tomorrow, December 7th at the Shirley Meeting House for our 22nd Annual Candlelight Vespers - A ‘Joyeux Noël!’ Doors open at 6:00 pm. We look forward to seeing you!

12/05/2025

This Sunday! Join us in the peace and beauty of The Shirley Meeting House for our 22nd Annual Candlelight Vespers Concert on Sunday, December 7th. Our theme this year: A ‘Joyeux Noël!’

We have “decked the halls” with Christmas greenery and candles in the windows. As you enter the Meeting House, traditional holiday songs and carols played by Lois Toeppner on our historic Stevens Tracker Organ will welcome you. You’ll hear poems and stories of the holidays as read by Rebecca Boucher, Kathy Daly, Benjamin Farrar, Kevin Johnston, William Oelfke and James Quinty. Christmas choral selections will be sung by The Meeting House Chorale, under the direction of Bernard Crane and accompanied by pianist Elenye German. Both traditional carols and new songs for the season will be shared by Nancy Beaudette & Christine Hatch, The German Family, Alison Angulo, Gus Angulo & Emilie MacDonald, Sara & Thiago Inácio, Dawn Kenney, Aisling Keating, Holly Haase, Victoria Landry, and Heidi & Lou Garofalo. Of course, it wouldn’t be Vespers without inviting you to join in our traditional holiday sing-along. Warm up your voices and get ready to lift them in song! Doors open at 6:00 pm.

Following the program, please join us at the Center Town Hall for warm cider, dessert, and friendly conversation. We look forward to welcoming you!

12/04/2025

The candles in windows and the moon shining down on The Shirley Meeting House. We’re ready for Candlelight Vespers – A ‘Joyeux Noël!’ on December 7th. We can’t wait to see you ! The doors open at 6 pm. For more information visit our website at https://www.shirleymeetinghouse.org/candlelight-vespers/

11/16/2025

Candlelight Vespers is just three weeks away! Mark your calendars and join us in the Meeting House for our 22nd Annual program. We are looking forward to sharing our songs and stories with you! Visit our website at www.shirleymeetinghouse.org for more information.

Address

On The Common
Shirley, MA
01464

Website

http://www.shirleymeetinghouse.org/

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