Through The Years
Since 1865, Fred C. Church has been here to support and serve businesses, individuals, and families.
Founded over 150 years ago in the back of a bookstore in Lowell, MA, the Fred C. Church agency has gone through many decades of growth and expansion – and weathered some challenging times as well – just like the communities and neighbors that we have served.
The historical timeline below shows the many “ups,” but also a few of the more trying times, like the devastating flood of 1936, that both our company and our clients have experienced along this remarkable journey. We hope you enjoy revisiting these significant moments in our company’s and this region’s history.
1865
Henry Church Forms Fred C. Church Insurance Company in Lowell, MA, as a sole proprietorship.
1877
Alexander Graham Bell demonstrates his telephone in Lowell. Two years later, Lowell becomes the first U.S. city to have phone numbers.
1890
Fred C. Church Becomes A Partnership Between Henry C. Church And His son, Frederic C. Church. Its New Location Opens At 53 Central Street In Downtown Lowell.
1894
Henry C. Church, Original Founder Of Fred C. Church Insurance Company, Passes Away, And The Business Returns To A Proprietorship In The Early 1900s
1920
Frederick C. Church forms a partnership with his son, Frederic C. Church, Jr., and also with Roy Bennett, Oscar Johnson, Lucien Paulent, and Henry F. Fessenden, creating Fred C. Church and Co.
1936
The Historic Flood Of 1936 Ravages Lowell, Destroying Homes And Businesses Throughout The City.
1954
The Insurance Service Association of America, now Assurex Global Partners, is established with affiliated company Boit, Dalton & Church as one of its founding partners. That membership later transferred to Fred C. Church, Inc.
1955
A large fire on St. Patrick’s Day in Lowell destroys the business building on Central St., forcing a relocation to 24 Merrimack Street.
1956
Fred C. Church, Jr. becomes one of the founding fathers of the Boys & Girls Club of America.
1968
The business changes from a partnership to a corporation and is re-named Fred C. Church, Inc. with Branford S. Brennan as President.
1975
The last two of the Fred C. Church family leave the company. Edward (Ted) D. Howe is named President and an employee stock ownership plan is established.
1980
John F. Reilly, Jr. is named President of Fred C. Church, Inc.
1988
The Fred C. Church, Inc. Lowell headquarters are relocated to One Merrimack Plaza.
1994
Fred C. Church Opens Its First Portsmouth, NH, Location At One Harbour Place, Moving To 401 State Street in 1996.
2000
Fred C. Church relocates its Portsmouth location from State Street to the Pease Tradeport.
2002
Herman P. Laturnau named President of Fred C. Church, Inc.
2004
Fred C. Church, Inc.’s Lowell Office Moves To Its Current Location At 41 Wellman Street.
2011
Fred C. Church is named for the first time as one of the Best Places to Work in Insurance by Business Insurance magazine.
2015
Michael S. Reilly named President of Fred C. Church, Inc.
2016
Fred C. Church relocates its Portsmouth location to the city’s downtown.
