About Friendship Hall
Formerly known as North Community Church Parish House
Friendship Hall: A community hub with a storied past
Friendship Hall—formerly known as North Community Church (NCC) Parish House since 1950—is a versatile and vibrant space serving as host to a variety of community organizations for meetings, theater performances, and celebrations.
Located diagonally across the street from the Church, Friendship Hall continues to serve as space for NCC youth programs, kids activities and various other uses.
The Original Home of Clift Rodgers Library & Social Hall
Clift Rodgers was born in 1806 in Marshfield, Massachusetts, where he lived his entire life. His home still stands today at the corner of Main and Pleasant Streets. Having amassed a moderate fortune as a leather merchant and seeking to give back to his community, Rodgers, at the age of 91, enlisted his friend and partner, Lysander Richards, to incorporate a library organization and social hall. Together Rodgers and Richards selected the Main Street location and Rodgers donated $5,000 for the construction and maintenance of the building. Upon Rodgers’ death in 1897, Richards saw the project through from its inception and served as President of the Clift Rodgers Library until his own death in 1927.
A popular social hall throughout the early 1900's
Clift Rodgers bequeathed the building with the stipulation that it could be rented for any worthy purpose, provided it was offered free for Spiritualist meetings—a practice he personally followed. Over the years, the hall became a venue for church services, lectures, auctions, and various entertainments. It quickly gained popularity among dance groups across the South Shore, thanks to its highly polished floors ideal for dancing. Social events such as cotillions, engagement parties, wedding receptions, and Friday night dances were regular occurrences, providing a steady income until the 1940s. However, as these events dwindled, the library faced financial struggles, prompting the treasurer to consider drastic measures to save on service charges.
North Community Church & Clift Rodgers Make a Deal
During these challenging times, North Community Church needed a larger space for its Sunday School and other activities. Recognizing the need for major renovations and lacking funds, the library trustees agreed to exchange their building for the church’s smaller building on Pleasant Street. Despite opposition from the Rodgers and Richards heirs, who believed the library should remain at its original site, negotiations led to the exchange in August 1950. The church’s donation of $150 for new books and assistance in moving helped seal the deal.