Gezicht op bisschoppelijke kerk in Waltham, Massachusetts before 1879

This is a photograph of an open book, including an image of the Episcopal Church in Waltham, Massachusetts, made around 1861. The photographer, Thomas R. Lewis, was documenting the built environment of his time. However, this image is more than just a record of a building's facade. It embodies the social and cultural values of a community during a period of rapid change. We can ask: What does it mean to build a church, and what statement does it make about the aspirations of a community? How does the architecture embody particular religious or social values? By consulting local historical societies, church archives, and census data, we can better understand the religious and social context in which this photograph was made. The image prompts us to consider the role of religious institutions in shaping community identity. It also encourages us to investigate the lives of the people who built and worshipped in this space.