Congregational Church UCC

he first services were held at the local tavern, Squier Bishop{s Inn. For the next 49 years, with frequent gaps when there was no ministerial leadership, the small congregation continued to worship in that building. In June of 1825, the Masonic Lodge of Winthrop (Temple) laid the cornerstones of two churches. On June 7th the brethren marched from their hall to the site of the new Congregational Church located on what is now upper Main Street. On the 25th they repeated the Ceremony at the Methodist Church. From that year until 1904, this building was the home of the Congregational Church. During the first few months of the Civil War a new minister was called to serve the church. Shortly after his arrival, he gave an address outlining what he saw as the needs of the church and community. It was his vision that a "Chapel or Vestry" be built in the center of town. This was done in 1861 and is the present building of this Congregation. At the turn of the Century there was considerable concern about the two buildings. Plans were laid for the complete renovation of the "Vestry" including the construction of a steeple, raising the building and installing a meeting room and kitchen beneath, and making an addition to the rear of the building. With only minor changes, the building remains in this condition today. This work was completed and a service of rededication held in 1904, at which time the large building on Main Street was sold. All three buildings which have housed this congregation are still standing and in use today.