Property Transfer from Second Congregational Church of Beverly to Lifebridge North Shore Approved
01-21-2026Image: Lifebridge volunteers bake breads in the Second Congregational Church of Beverly kitchen in preparation for their biannual giving day event last November.
In a January 2 ruling, Associate Justice Serge Georges Jr. of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts allowed the petition for the transfer of the building and grounds from The Second Congregational Church of Beverly to Lifebridge North Shore to proceed.
Following a period of decline and aging in its membership, the congregation determined it could not continue to sustain itself. The congregation held its final worship service on December 28, 2025, 310 years to the day the church’s original covenant was signed with its first minister, Rev. John Chipman.
In a nearly unanimous vote, the members chose to entrust the future of the building and grounds to Lifebridge North Shore, preserving the site for charitable, educational, and religious uses that serve the community. Lifebridge North Shore provides critical services and support for homeless and vulnerable members in our communities. Their administrative offices are already onsite, as well as those of Family Promise North Shore. Several 12-step groups, scout groups, arts organizations, and other community support programs continue to call the building home.
“We are pleased that this important step in the building transfer process has happened,” said Rev. Adam Isbitsky, Legacy Pastor of Second Church. “This has been a long but rewarding process, and we know that the next chapter of this property will be filled with more service than we could have provided to our community if we had held onto it.”
“We look forward to working with the existing organizations that share a home in the Second Church building,” said Jason Etheridge, President of Lifebridge North Shore. “This year will be one of building deeper relationships with the North Beverly neighborhood as we craft a vision for the future of this historic place.” Lifebridge North Shore will continue to work with the neighborhood, Mayor Cahill’s office, Beverly City Council, and City of Beverly permitting departments.