The Original Meeting House

            The Congregational church was first built in 1772, on Gun House Hill. It is  assumed that Gun House Hill was the original name for what is now known as Meeting House Hill Road.  The building was two stories high.  The original meeting house building was used for town meetings and church services.  During this time right up into the 1800’s, people were taxed to pay for the church.  The people who went to the church felt that financial and business should be separate from worship, therefore, they created the Congregational Society.  This Society took care of all the finances and business for the church. Records show a letter from the Governor of New Hampshire granting the right for the society to conduct business for the church in the early 1800’s. 

Ministers

            The first minister to hold services at the church was Reverend Timothy Upham.  He served a total of 39 years until his death in 1811.  The next minister to hold services was Nathaniel Wells.  Interestingly, Nathaniel was from Wells, Maine.    His term of service was from 1812- 1841.  Reverend Wells lived in the Congregational Parsonage on Meeting House Hill.  The parsonage was on the site of the Frank Mitchell home.  Wells received the title to the parsonage and lot and the buildings on it when he resigned from his position at the church.

Conflict About a New Church

            In 1835, the Society purchased a lot to rebuild a new church for $1800.00.  In 1836, the church was relocated to that lot in the center of town where it is located now, on Old Center Road.  Not everyone was happy about this decision.  During the time of relocation, the church became divided into two groups of people; shareholders of the old church location who were not accepting of the new location and shareholders who were accepting of the new location.  Share holders in the church were upset because they had purchased shares at the old church location.   Because the Society handled all the business and finances, the members (known then as subscribers) did not have a say as to the location of the new church.  The Society notes reflect about this issue.

On December 30, 1835, The Society notes reflect this entry:

                        “The Committee of Conference appointed for the purpose of devising some way to produce harmony in the Congregational Society.  Report – That it is expedient to exonerate all persons from any liability to pay their respective shares as proprietors in the New Meeting house, who have not consented to the location of said house, excepting those who have paid their shares – and providence the above recommendation is adopted, it is expected that the society will comply with the vote that was passed at the last legal meeting of the Society, whereby, it was voted that public worship be maintained, half the time at the new house and half of the time at the old house as in that neighborhood.  And it is recommended by the committee of the North that all the Society come in cordially and purchase as many pews as they need.” 

            Stephen Brown’s involvement with the society continues for many years where he served as clerk, treasurer, and director during different time frames.  His name appears frequently in the ledgers.  Carol stated that he was known as an “upstanding member”.  His work and financial donations indicate that he was accepting of the new location. 

Renovations and a Parsonage

            A new parsonage was built on Old Center Road by Ephraim Hidden, the third minister of the church, using his own money.   The new parsonage was built on a subdivided lot sold by James Edgerly who lived on the site of the Sharon Home.  The parsonage was destroyed by fire in 1927.  The Congregational Society didn’t replace the parsonage until 1948 when they asked Ephraim’s family to release claims on the deed to the parcel. 

            In the 1890’s, the church was remodeled.  The portico in the front was enclosed and the two graceful supporting pillars were removed and stored in the cellar of the church.  Carol invited me to see the pillars which are still in the basement of the church.  Unfortunately, we ran out of time.  The clear windows were replaced with color windows made of stained glass and the ceiling was painted with rich colors.  The church also had family pews and an inside balcony, that was closed up.  The balcony is now converted to be a second level where meetings and Sunday school are held

            Today the church still has many of the same features as the late 1800’s, however; the organ is not the same as the original.  The exterior of the building was white and still remains white to this day. 

Finances

            During the 1800’s, members of the church purchased shares to provide funds for the church.  They also purchased family pews.  The cost of the pew was dependent on location in the building and length of the pew.  Stephen Brown purchased a 10$ pew in 1832. 

            Later the congregational church and the Baptist churches joined to support one minister.  Only the Baptist building was used, therefore, the congregational meeting house (church) fell into serious disrepair. 

            In 1831 Stephen Brown, Joseph T. Brown’s father gave one thousand dollars to the church.  He gave the money to the church because he loved the church and was very dedicated to its cause, and he was also a share holder.  I found out that Miriam, Stephen’s second wife also donated one thousand dollars for a new organ. 

My Visit and Interview with Reverend Carol Meredith

            I went to the Congregational church, now known as the Deerfield Community Church.  I went through old records with the Reverend Carol Meredith.  Carol, my mom, and I spent two hours sifting through old records at the church.  She contacted Elsie Brown to verify genealogy to see how Joe Brown (Elsie’s husband) fit into the Brown family line. At one point, we read about the bell, a gracious gift from Stephen Brown.  We turned and the Reverend pointed to the rope hanging from the ceiling.  She smiled and asked if I would like to ring it.  We both got up from the table and grabbed hold of the rope.  There is a certain motion you have to exert on the rope to ring the bell.  With each rhythmic pull I thought about the countless others that had pulled it before me.  It was amazing to think that this bell, the one I was ringing was a gift given to the church from our “Dead Guy’s” father.  The bells rich tone rang out and brought smiles to us all.

Bibliography

Elliot C. Cogswell ,History Of Nottingham ,Deerfield ,And Northwood: First Congregational Church of Deerfield NH, 1878. Manchester, NH, John B. Clarke

Bicentennial Celebration, 1966 edition, congregational church

Joanne Wasson, Tales of Old Deerfield, 1964, Concord NH, Evans Printing Co.

A series of parsonages for Deerfield’s Congregational church, Deerfield Country Ledger, Feb.22, 1990 (pg.8)

Record of the Congregational Society Deerfield NH, 1834 & 1857-1891