Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1910-04-08

ulsl Cnapel on canal street, which Is a
part of the Willard Alexander house at
the corner Of Canal and Clark streets.
The demand for the organization Of a
Baptist church became imperative and
at a meeting April 2 resolutions were
adopted, one of which was. Resolved
that this body incorporate shall be called
the Baptist Church of Christ in Brattle-
boro East Village" Six days later "at
the request of the Methodist brethren"
the church voted to move to Wheeler
hail, which was in the second story OF
a stone building on Main street where O.
j. Pratts store now is. The church
was organized May 6 with Go members
Rev Joseph Freeman was chosen the
first pastor April "a, 1910. on June 4
of that year the Baptist Society in Brat
tleboro East Village was organized for
the purpose of building meeting house
and settling and supporting a pastor"
a meeting house was erected on Elliot
street at a cost of S270O and was dedi-
Gated March 3, 1871. The first deacons
were Jacob Estey and Alonzo Hatch
In 1852 the church was remodelled at
an expense of $500.
During the pastorate of Rev Alden
Sherwin, which began Jan 4. 1865 and
ended April I, 1861 steps were taken
Tor the erection of a new church build
ing. lot with house thereon was
bought of DR. O. r. Post for $40. 600 and
the foundation for the new church was
y. 7.
wins departure. The First Baptist So
ciety of Brattleboro was Incorporated
May %, 1866, succeeding the society
which built the church on Elliot street
In 1865 the main part of the present
church building was erected and the
Vestry occupied as place OF worship
The old house on Elliot street was oc-
cupied for the last time Jan. %, 1868
The new building was dedicated Dec 2S
1870. The ecclesiastical society was dis
solved July 20, 1899. and the property
was formally transferred to the First
Baptist church Of Brattleboro
IF no mistake has been made" said
Mr.. Smith, there are living here today
80 persons who Joined the church pre-
vious to that time referring to the
dedication of the new church. "Of this
number Mrs. Fuller is a member of the
church at West Bmttleboro. but we
never think Of her as belonging there.
Others who Joined the church in the
first 30 years, have not been here con-
tinuouslN, but are entitled to places on
this roll-persons now members OF the
church who became identified with the
First Baptist church of Brattleboro pre-
vious to December, 1870" Following is
the list with the year of their first re-
ception: Mrs. Olive Sargent, 1919; Mrs.
Marcus r. Robbins, 1850; Mrs Asa S.
Field, 1856 Mrs w. f. Banks 1850:
Mrs. Abby Estey Fuller, 1850; Asa $.
Field. 1860; Mrs. Elizabeth b. Daven-
port, 1862; George w. Fuller 1864: Z.
G. Warren 1865; Mrs. Lucy \. Cox,
1865; John A. Davis 1866; Miss Frances
Elliot 1866; Mrs. Sylvia Davis, 1867;
Miss Hattie Stearns 1867; Mrs. Florence
Gray Estey, 1867; l. o. p. Smith, 1867;
Miss Cora Hatch, 1865; Mrs A. F.
Boynton, 1863; Mrs Addie Butterfield,
1859; Mrs. George w Fuller, 1863; Fred
f. White. 1863; T. w. Bruce. 1863; a.
F. Boynton, 1870 Mrs. Mary T.. Howard,
I've
Mixer, 1870; Mrs Frank L. Shepard,
1870; f. NJ. Douglas, 1870; Henry d.
Holton, 1870, and Mrs. Laura j. Hudson,
1870
In the society records the secretary
made many interesting notes regarding
the building. Among them we find that
the foundation stones came from Frosts
ledge on Flat street. John Burnham
silver plated the lightning rod. S. NJ.
Waite furnished lamp posts and gas
pipe. Jones & Co.. of Troy n. Y, cast
the bell and hung 1t in its place. Its
weight is given as 4545 pounds and its
cost $500. The dedcatory service was
early in the pastorate of Rev. L. j.
Matteson, who began his labors in June,
1862 During Mr. Mattesons pastorate,
which closed April u.s. 1875, many addi-
lions to the church roll were made, 264
being baptized and 1872 received by let
ter In May, 1872, resolutions were
adopted, one of which was that Luther
w. Hawley be requested to go into the
surrounding neighborhoods and hold
prayer meetings or sustain Sunday
schools. Two months later the brick
church" at West Brattleboro, having
been bought and repaired by Jacob
Estey L. X. Fuller and ]. j. Estey,
was dedicated with proper services. A
Sunday school was organized with 81
members and L. X. Fuller was chosen
superintendent. Letters of dismission
were granted April 10, 1874, to 10 MEM
bers to form the West Brattleboro Bap-
fist church. Among the number were
Mr.. and Mrs. l.. X. Fuller and Miss Ida
NJ. Holland. the last better known as
Mrs. Il. r. Thayer.
During the pastorate of Rev George
b. Cow, ID. D., father Of the present
pastor, September 1850 the Putney
mission was organized into a branch
church. In February, 1888, letters were
granted to 60 Of the members to form
an Independent church. During the pas
torate of Rev. F. j. Parry, d. D., which
began Jan. /, 1857, and closed in April
1895. and was the second longest of the
modelled and the chapel built the re-
dedication exercises taking place Dec. IS
1889. The changes We're made under the
supervision of a building committee con-
sisting OF Gov L. X. Fuller, j. II. Holden
T.. II. Van Doom and S. II. Sherman
at cost of about $2S 900, the women
contributing about one-fourth Of the
amount Early in 1890 the 50th ami
versary was celebrated and the Goth
anniversary was observed 10 years ago
next June. During the pastorate of Rev.
F. Il. Marble, Pm. D. the free pew
system was adopted Feb. 6, 1899, maxi
ing possible the preaching Of a free gos-
pei in a free church. The church was