When the new church was proposed the original church was moved back and later sold. The newly completed Church was in the Elizabethan Style, impressive, with Gothic windows, high arches, a rose window, a noble organ, and a tall spire with a gilded cross. It was considered one of the most imposing edificies in the country at the time. Recently, a Mr. Bancroft, who lives in Oregon, contacted me with information connecting himself with a Capt. Bancroft who is credited in our records as being the builder.
Research is underway.
Sam Reed was one of the strong, anti-slavery men in this part of Massachusetts and about 1850 he entertained George Thompson. Anti-sIavery meetings were held at Island Grove and other radical speakers were heard. Rev. Walker preached many sermons against slavery, but disapproved of the radical methods of William Lloyd Garrison. One incident was decisive when a gentleman who had business contacts in the South was refused membership in the Church when he did not agree that communion should be denied to slave owners. The resolution of 1842 was then reaffirmed in 1849 and this resolution now appears engraved on a marble plaque on the wall of the present sanctuary.