First Church History

Early Origins

The Congregationalists were one of the earliest faiths in the Town of Essex to have formal organization, dating back to October 1797. Services were held in members’ homes until construction of a wood frame meeting house in Essex Center in 1802. The building burned in 1838. In 1840, it was replaced with a brick meeting house, which is now home to the Essex Free Library.

By the 1860s, the growth of Essex Junction necessitated the need for a church in closer proximity to the mills and shops within the village. On February 14, 1866, members of the Congregational and Methodist denominations, together with the Baptists as informal associates, formed the Essex Junction Union Church Association. This association of the three denominations continued until the Baptists withdrew in 1874 to build their own separate church, and the later withdrawal of the Methodists in 1897.

Church Founding

On February 21, 1867, the First Congregational Society of Essex Junction was organized with the signing of a constitution by the number of members required for a new church. Land where the First Congregational Church of Essex Junction now stands was secured and construction of the original wood frame church was completed in October 1869 for a grand total of $7,826.06. The new church absorbed a Sunday School that was established and operated by founding member David H. McComber. In 1887, the church purchased an adjacent property on Church Street for a parsonage.

Architectural History

The original 1867 building had little resemblance to the church as we know it today. There was a hill in front of the church, with a long flight of stairs outside to enter the sanctuary on the second floor. These stairs ended where the fanlight window is now located. The first floor had to be accessed by an entrance on Church Street. In December 1913, there was a Congregational vote to repair and rebuild the original church. The outside stairs were removed, the front hill was leveled, a ground level entrance vestibule was built, and the wood frame was bricked over. At the same time a parish house was built to form the “L” in the rear of the Church. A bowling alley was added to the lower level for community recreation and fellowship.

In 1961, the church renovated the parish house wing, and added a one-story addition to make room for more offices and classrooms. The Church also purchased the Hildreth property (current Thrift Shop) in order to gain additional parking space. With the completion of the one-story addition and the purchase of the Hildreth property, First Church and the surroundings resemble the current church property.

In 2020, First Church completed a major restoration initiative following a successful $1 million capital campaign. In the sanctuary, all of the original windows and shutters were restored, the plaster ceiling was completely removed and replaced, and plaster walls were repaired. A small two-story addition was built on the parking lot side to make the entrance more accessible, add storage space, and provide space for a new fully accessible bathroom on the first floor.

150th Anniversary

We celebrated our 150th Anniversary in 2017. The year-long celebration included an “old- timey” replica worship service complete with period costumes, the debut of a new float featuring our building for the Memorial Day Parade, historical skits and a special dinner event. The Essex Reporter published a series of articles that share different ways that our church has been and continues to be an important part of the Essex community.

January

This article describes how the church started in the community. You can view the article using this link.

February

This article describes the formation and evolution of our Sunday School program. You can view the article using this link.

March

This article describes First Church’s long history of feeding the Essex community. You can view the article using this link.

April

This article describes the many ways First Church has coordinated with and supported organizations in the community. You can view the article using this link.

May

This article describes the history of First Church’s relationship with the military and our local service men and women. You can view the article using this link.

June

This article describes the importance of music at First Church and how our music program has evolved over time. You can view the article using this link.

July

This article describes First Church’s long tradition of supporting aid organizations locally, nationally and internationally. You can view the article using this link.

August

This article gives a history of the pastors who have served at First Church over the years. You can view the article using this link.

September

This article describes the history of First Church’s support of local Scouting organizations. You can view the article using this link.

October

This article gives a history of the Congregational Church, UCC, and First Church’s work on social issues. You can view the article using this link.

November

This article gives a history of First Church’s physical building changes and growth. You can view the article using this link.

December

This article gives a possible future look back at the next 150 years at First Church. You can view the article using this link.