history

History

In November of 1831, ten people met together at the schoolhouse for the purpose of forming a church. Within three months there were 22 people who met at the school, but, most often, at each others' homes. They built the first church building on Mason Road in 1833, " a barn-like structure."

The first "deacon" was chosen in 1853. This man, James White, has the library named after him. Then Bradford Braley, our area doctor and elder in the church, was named a deacon. It is for him that "Dr. Braley Road" is named.

In 1883 the church building was becoming too small for the congregation and the thought was the need for a larger structure. They received a gift of land that motivated them to further action. All the people began pledging money and time. The ladies of the church formed a sewing circle to help with the project. They held a series of suppers, bazaars, and entertainments to raise money. That was the beginning of the Ladies Friendly Circle which is still going strong even today, more than 115 years later.

Another small piece of land, abutting the first, was given and the building began in 1887. It was finished and dedicated in April of 1888. The old church was used for entertainment and dances, but burned down

sometime around 1905-1908.

In the beginning the elders of the church conducted services. Then the pulpit committee was given the responsibility of obtaining ministers, who usually served two or more churches. They also found visiting and used seminary students to fill the pulpit. A "Mr. Kidd" was the first permanent minister of the church. For many years Mr. Henry Reed served the church as its first full time minister. The reverend Richard Woodland became the first live-in minister.

The Parish House was added in 1955 with another small piece of land being donated to make this possible. This made it much easier for teaching Sunday School and for other church functions. A carriage house was torn down to make room for the new addition. A garage on the east side of the church was also taken down at the same time and that area is now the Chace Memorial Garden. The receiving from Julia Lawrence of her house in 1962 and the purchase of land for a parking area brought the present site to its completion.

So many changes have occurred, with renovations to the sanctuary and then the Lawrence House, that we are keeping abreast of the times. But, most of all, we are still Congregationalists going strong in our covenant.