First Congregational Church - Manchester VT - This Old Church on Waymarking.com

The First Congregational Church of Manchester was ?“gathered” in 1784, some twenty years after the town of Manchester was settled. Services were held in the town’s meeting house (the Pilgrim and Puritan nomenclature for “church”) until 1829, when a solid brick church was built next to the courthouse and the school.

By 1870, this edifice was too small to meet the needs of the congregation and its shabby appearance was an embarrassment. Manchester had become a summer vacation spot for wealthy families who stayed at the Equinox House and other local inns. It was necessary to raise $23,000 for a new church. More than half of that amount was pledged by members, the rest was given by summer visitors and other friends. Franklin Orvis, proprietor of Equinox House, made his Music Hall available for services during construction and suggested to the building committee that if they were to build at the northern edge of the church lot, he could provide his porch-sitting guests with an unobstructed view of the Green Mountains. In return, he would give funds for a generous new church with a 150-foot spire atop it, with space for clock faces.

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Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 01/01/1870 Age of Church building determined by?: Church website If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: United Church of Christ Street address of Church: 3624 Main Street Manchester, VT Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link] If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: Not listed If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Not listed Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: Not Listed Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: Not listed

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