Stunning 1911 View of Cambridge Baptist Church

This historical photograph, taken around 1911 or 1912, presents an exterior view of the E.S. Watson Treasurer Baptist Church located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The church is named after Edwin S. Watson, who notably served as the treasurer at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Cambridge. This church is a significant part of the local communitys history and reflects the architectural style and community values of its time.

Around the time this photograph was captured, Reverend Clarence Virgil Richeson was also associated with the church. His later involvement in a notorious murder case brought considerable attention to the church and its activities. Richeson was executed in May 1912 for the murder of Avis Linnell, a crime that shocked the community and the nation alike. This image by the Bain News Service provides a glimpse into a pivotal moment in the churchs history, connecting it to broader narratives of morality and justice in early 20th-century America.

Captured on a glass negative, the photograph now stands as a reminder of the events that shaped Cambridge during that period. The connections to publications like the Boston Traveler and the New York Times highlight the storys reach and significance. This moment in time, framed by the churchs architecture and its notable figures, offers insights into the intersection of community life and historical events.