Our History in The 1800s

Schooling and Raising Taxes

During the first century of the church's history, the church Ecclesiastical Society, which handled the finances of the parish, was responsible for all public education in the community. Taxes were levied on the residents for the support of the church and the schools and the various district schools were operated by the Society's Committee. The Society, like the church, has had several designations throughout the years. It was originally called the "South Society," but in the early nineteenth century the influence of Presbyterianism in this part of New England is reflected in the fact that the Society was known as the Presbyterian Society. The Presbyterian "heresy" in congregational churches was short-lived, however, and from 1809 on the Society was known simply as the "Ecclesiastical Society."

Another New Church is Built

In 1835, it was voted "to build a house of public worship." Apparently, the former meeting house (which was completed in 1795), was still standing, but for some reason a new church had been contemplated since 1824 when the Society's records first mention the need for a new building. After much debate, the site of the church was settled upon and the records note that on July 23, 1836 "the Meeting House was raised." The new meeting house was dedicated in 1837. In 1840, a 616 pound bell was raised to the bell tower to call the people to worship. From this date no mention of a new building is made in the records until after the fire nearly a century later, so we assume that this building was in use until destroyed by fire in 1921.

A New Parsonage

Sometime during the later part of the 19th century, the parsonage, which stood about where the Consolidated School baseball field is now located, burned to the ground. For several years, the church was without a parsonage and, although there was a great deal of discussion concerning a new house, no action was taken. The Reverend C. B. McLean submitted his resignation after two years of service as pastor noting: "Circumstances having convinced me that no parsonage will be built or bought at present...I herewith tender by resignation as your pastor."

After making plans for a new parsonage and finding that the cost of the house would be $3,267.00, the Ecclesiastical Society voted to purchase the Beardsly property which was obtained for $1,000.00. The house was purchased, repaired, and an addition was constructed largely through the use of funds realized from a legacy of Silas M. Mead.

Next: 1900 - 1951