Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-12-24
The second HOuse---HOw Churches were
RuiIt 100 Wears Ago.

The construction of the new building ex
tended over "A period of nearly II years,
during which the people had opportunity to
discuss and accept and reject and modify
plans to their hearts content. From the
number of different committees appointed
at each stage of proceedings, we can see
how if every prominent man in town did
not serve the public in the capacity of anna
teur architect and builder, it was not from
lack of opportunity. This method of con
struction certainly had its advantages.
During these | years every man, if he lived
long enough, would have the privilege not
only of voting on every detail of construc-
ton and finish he would have the oppor-
tunity also of working out his individual tax
at his leisure. Indeed, the books show that
the larger part of the expense was met by
the furnishing of labor and materials. In
this slow process of construction, also, the
work could be tested, defects discovered
and thoroughness insured.
But this method had its disadvantages
On every division of the house over the ap-
pointment of new committee or the rails
ing of a new tax, or the Modification of the
plan, old feuds would he revived, feelings
of estrangement deepened, and unnecessary
words spoken. 1t is true that, so far as the
plan of construction was concerned, little
else than the size, and number of pews, and
form of belfry was left open for discussion
by the town; for there was one stereotyped
plan for all the New England houses of wor-
ship in those days, and they differed one
from another only as large building differs
from small But the more insignificant
the matter in dispute, the more heated the
discussion, as a rule and the petty details
of floor rights, and gallery benches or pews,
and porch or belfry, We're continually en-
gaging the attention of the parish for 10
! years, to the exclusion of more important
matters.
A brief review of the different stages in
the process may be of interest. In 1888
the frame was erected, accepted by the
| town, and new committee chosen to en-
close it. At the raising of the frame the
committee were authorized by vote of the
town to employ $50 men. That this was
done, think we may reasonably infer from
/ the fact that when the bill for rum and
shugarn was brought in the following year,
/ it required a tax equalling one-half the tax
assessed for furnishing males and glass" to
cover the claim. By putting the two taxes
/ together, vote for their assessment was
readily secured, Possibly even then some
thought the half-pennyworth of bread to
so intolerable a deal of sack" excessive.
1t appears that the house in this unfinish-
ed state was occupied Immediately, for a
vote for the sale of the old house was passed
that same year. A fair representation OF
the condition of things would doubtless cor
respond with the description given of the
occupancy OF the old house ON the hill in
Nottingham in the early days of this cen
fury. On the roughly-laid lower floor
benches and seats were extemporized, run
ming lengthwise from the door TO place fol
the pulpit The old inhabitants in Whiting
ham had good reason to remember the ar
rangement, for upon one occasion, when 1
couple of Jealous Methodist brethren cam,
into these new regions to hold services, tn,
officious tithing-man took his station in the