The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1892-03-31
MANCHESTER C0sGREGATIosAL
CuuRCn EDiFtCEs
No |.
~ Nrs ] D wlcknAM.

the Brick church in which We vorshipp
prior 10 the erection OF the present one
1871. 1t occupied nearly the same eroun
/ the nearest street crossing terminating b
fore its central door. A central plot
ground WAS early reserved by the founde
Of the village for public purposes on whi'
, we're soon built meeting house 9Th,
30 calIedl school house aud tavern in the |
ter OF which the courts we're held for mar
years, inst south OF the drug store. Me-
the meeting house was the first buriI
I ground OF Manchester, except as thel
might have been private burial places 0
Several OF the farms, as tomb stones on nj
Ralph Purdy's farm, then bis Gran faith
er Purdys. testify Of dates before lS0t
/: When Union Street was opened and
deep drain dug there we're human bone
: unesrtbed, which we're reverently gather
ed snd removed to an appropriate place.
This public ground extended from th
Munson House on the north to the piszz
OF the house on the south now called th
Orvis Cottage, Mr.. +. II. Orvis being tn
owner. The first Meeting House" wa
voted to be 40 feet by 80. and built o
wood, 10 1880. A neatly turned rod o
6 inches long is relic Of pew door, th
upper portion OF ,hs pew door being opel
work by using several Of these as ornamen
tai in place Of panel. The pews wert
square pews. the custom Of that day. The
house was on the same ground that th,
other churches bave been and II is pleas
ant to observe the fact that for over l0(
years that spot Of earth bas resounded
with the songs OF Zion.
The Congregational church was or8ani
zad in August 1884 by Rev. Job Swift,
and consisted then Of only seven members,
which is an indication of their godly
character and their steadfest purpose Ia
serve the Lord.
In the September following Rev. Mr.
Swift organ lied the church In Dorset.
These sister churches have ever been CO
workers in christian enterprises. and their
respective pastors united in the best OF
bonds. The experiences of the infant
church in relation to its pastors was often
perplexing but they always maintained
worship. Rev. Mr.. Swift was with them
. year or two. Rev. Abel Farley was their
frst settled minister and continued from
1906 to 1912. DR.. Wickhsm met Mr.. Far.
ley sbout 1923 when on tour in western
New York.
The Rev. Lemuel Haynes Of African de,
scent was their renowned and excellent
minister for 10 years and then was called
to Rutland and his was their longest pasto
rate.
At the centennial celebration of this
church in August 1884, Rev. DR.. Wick
ham presented history OF its pastors, and
Rev Mr.. Read history of the church as
far as meager records and memories would
permit, but rs these histories were not
preserved in printed pamphlet their state'
ments are not now available. The first
church was taken down and brick
church erected on it's site and completed
In the autumn OF 1929. Sabbath services
being held IN the interval in the Court
House. 10 July Of this year Rev. Mr.
Anderson WAS ordained and installed pas
tor OF this Congregational church, but
the exercises we're held on the grounds in |
the rear Of Mr.. Fowier's orchard. Rev.
DR.. Gufiin, President OF Williams College, |
preached the sermon and Mrs. Black
Miss Akin them saDg Ms she did at the
j0ih celebration Of this event IN 1879.
Our brick chm ch bad gallery on three
,ides and the pulpit At first was placed on
he west side. or end, between the doors.
Ia this position after few years the pas
OF expressed himself as uncomfortable"
10Th from the noise incident to the near
,ess OF the entrance aud the direct heat
rom the stoves on bis right aud left 10
he church, remarking fscetiously, that he
would prefer not TO be roasted sliye. 80
y reversal Of pulpit aud gallery tho pas
or and the singers places were exchanged.
he pews being reversed also. This was
ar more agreeable to the worshippers than
o face the whole congregation Is one en-
cred. and then turn squsrely around and
10 into ones pew in order to see the reyer'
I'D personsge.
II might have been said before this.
bat the expense OF building the church
,ss defrsyed by the saIe OF The pews.
,srily anticipating it, completion, proba
,ly, as necessary, they being sold st from
100 TO S25 each and decided 10 the respec.
i've purchasers But the galleries we're
rec to ell persons except that when the
3uu Seminary was opened in 1888 certsin
ections we're 80, apart Tor the occupancy |
4 the students. 10 1851 quite renovs
log was made 10 tie church. The court
ouse then being ueed for divine service
ouple Of months CARPETS sere put down
ow for the FIRE, time IN the sisles, pro /.
ured chiefly by the industry and Efforts
{ the 'Lsdie. Benevolent socieiy, IS
,ere also the handsome cbsirs which siill /
arbish our pulpit.
Bu, by md by rs modern improvements !
dvsneed 10 snr eouniry = taste fot pre,,ier I
binss erspt into our simple life .nd We
fsuied changes as wall ss iniher repairs.
be hitherto comely Sanctuary began 10 !
,ok shabby. We needed more room for |
ur own families aud for those Who re 4
iced 10 bear our good Dr. Cu.hnsn's | !