The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1907-08-17
OLD CHURCH RE-DEDIcArED.
Rockingham Has an Old Home Day Gel
GRAFTON. Also.

Rockingham Has an Old Home Day Gel
GRAFTON, Also.
Rockingham, Aug. l7-Not for many
years have 50 many people gathered here
as Thursday when on the slightly emf.
hence in the center Of the village the
old town church we re-dedicated. For
d year the church has been iii the hands
Of the carpenters. and it is now not
only the oldest church in the state but
the only one that retains both the in.
terror and exterior original appearance
The opening Of the reiuyenated church
was along the lines Of an cid home day
celebration. There were speeches by old
residents, visitors, clergymen and former
residents who came from far and near.
Family reunions were held under the
shade trees and with music from band
Ia long programme was rendered The
principal address was made by Congress
man KittFedge Haskins. Colonel Has
kins' address was cut short, as he was
Obliged TO leave early in the afternoon
in order 70 Join the Vermont Association
Of Boston, who passed through here on
the way to Burlington.
Ii Was Built on Hill.
The old church is quaint and simple
white structure and dates back to the
days when all citizens, irrespective Of
creed, were taxed by the government for
the support OF the gospel 1t was built
by the town the questions In relation
10 II being voted upon III town meeting,
and the expenses being paid from the
town treasury. In accordance with the
early custom Of always setting the
Lords house upon a hin in the middle
Of the town, the people voted that the
meeting house be set on the hill west Of
David Pulsipher's house about 80 or 40
rods"
One Of the first settlements in the
southern part OF Vermont was made
here IN l752 The following year land
was laid out for the use Of the first
settled minister" who was the Rev.
samuel Whiting. The church was not
built until 1881 A Congregational SO.
cirty was organized in 1873 and was
kept in being until 1880, sustaining a
local pastor most of the time The
building has been used at different peri
DDS by various religious denominations
but not regularly BIZ any denomination
for some 20 years. No services have
been held in il for many years except
occasional services conducted by the pas
tors OF the different churches in Bellows
Falls during tle summer months.
The village once the business center
Of the town, has dwindled to mere
hamlet The church was used for all
town meetings until 1870. Since that
time the town business has been tran
sacted at Bellows Fails.
vandals Robbed It.
The church for years was neglected
Private subscriptions aided by the town
| funds have been expended IN general
repairs and in restoring the interior TO
It's original condition, it, beauty having
been married BY casual visitors. who GOV.
cred the Whitewashed walls with their
autographs and carried away the orna-
mental spindle work on the pews and
gallery rails, and even the hinges on the
doors Of the pews as souvenirs.
The pulpit even was carried bodily
away This has been recovered and
placed in It's former position. The sound
| ing boarl the high square pews and the
| gallery surrounding the audience room
have all been restored 70 the freshness
Of 40 years ago.
The church records in their original
manuscript form and the communion ser
vice were for long time in the pos
session OF w. II. r. Putnam Of Spring.
field. relative OF David Pulsipher. whc
was one Of the four men that united in
presenting the town with the land on
which the church and cemetery are To-
Gated. In a fire few years ago I'll,
service was lost, the records only being
saved.
These records are Of great historical
value to the town and have been placed
IN the Rockingham public library al
| Bellows Falls.