Alexander Rice Esty

Who was Alexander Rice Esty?

Alexander Rice Esty was an American architect known for designing many Gothic Revival churches in New England, however his work also encompassed university buildings, public buildings, office buildings, and private residences across the Northeastern United States.

Esty was born in Framingham, Massachusetts, the youngest child of Dexter Esty, a local builder, and Mary Eames Esty. Esty remained a resident of Framingham for his entire life and was the brother of Massachusetts Congressman Constantine C. Esty. Esty married in 1854, Julia Maria Wight daughter of Julia Maria Terry and Lothrop Wight, in 1865, Charlotte Louise Blake, and in 1867, Emma Corning Newell daughter of Olive Plimpton and George Newell. Esty was a descendant of Edmund Rice an early immigrant to Massachusetts Bay Colony, and a direct descendant of Mary Towne Esty who was executed during the Salem Witch Trials.

Esty attended Framingham Academy as a boy. He then trained in architecture with Boston architect Richard Bond. In 1847, he worked for G.J.F. Bryant before opening his own Boston office the following year. Many of Esty's churches were variations of a popular nineteenth century style similar to Richard Upjohn's.