United Methodist Church - Rochester, NH
Posted by: 
silverquill
N 43° 16.659 W 070° 58.828
19T E 339302 N 4793552
This is one of the early churches in Rochester, New Hampshire, built in 1868, replacing the old Wesleyan Chapel which had been built in 1825 by the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Waymark Code: WMBFPD
Location: New Hampshire, United States
Date Posted: 05/16/2011
Views: 9
There is very little history of this building or church on line, except that the beautiful clock is a Howard tower clock identified in the list of
Howard Clock Installations as "Model S."
The building also has a new Faucher pipe organ listed in the Faucher Organ Company, founded in 1987 in Biddeford, Maine, list as "Opus 22"
The church is still in use by an active United Methodist Church congregation.
The following fascinating account of the ceremony surrounding the laying of the cornerstone comes from, "History of the town of Rochester, New Hampshire, from 1722 to 1890".
The corner stone of the old Wesleyan Chapel was removed July 25, 1867, and the copper plates with the other articles mentioned were found in a lead box about eight inches square and one and one half deep, with a cover not soldered on. The documents were in a moldering state, some of them dropping to pieces on the slightest touch. The Bible was much worm-eaten, though the Book of discipline was in a better condition. The papers could none of them be replaced.
The corner stone of the new house was laid August 1, 1867. The ceremonies, after the regular church ritual, were as follows :
I. Announcement by the Pastor, Frank R. Strattou, of the several documents to be deposited, consisting of the two copper plates from the old Corner Stone; a new copper plate with the following inscription: ' The Wesleyan Chapel which was erected by the Methodist E. Church A. D. 1825 was demolished for the purpose of erecting a more ample Structure A. D. 1867. The New Methodist Church was erected A. D. 1867, and this CORNER STONE was laid with imposing Masonic ceremonies by the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire assisted by Humane Lodge No. 21, and many visiting Lodges, August 1867.
The Bible; the Book of Discipline; a Hymn Book; list of Church officials, class leaders, members of society, and building committee; Centennial of American Methodism ; Methodist Almanac; Minutes of New Hampshire Conference ; Zion's Herald ; Journal of Grand Lodge of New Hampshire ; list, of officers and members with the by-laws of Humane Lodge ; Rochester Courier containing Memorial address by the Pastor ; one copy of each paper published in the County; the circular of invitation and programme of exercises ; town report for 1866-67 ; copy of Boston Journal ; currency and coin in circulation from one dollar to one cent; bills of the Rochester Bank of the earliest and latest dates; spectacles worn by Col. John McDuffee, who died 1817, aged 94; Photograph of the Pastor finished in India ink by Abbie H. Dennett.
II. Deposit of the box by John McDuffee.
III. Lowering the .stone with solemn music by the band.
IV. Ceremonies of Masonic ritual conducted by Gi'and Master John H. Rowell of Franklin, assisted by D. G. M. Alexander M. Winn of Farmington ; Senior Grand Warden John R. Holbrook of Portsmouth ; James Farrington of Rochester as Junior Grand Warden; and Betton W. Sargent of Rochester as Grand Architect.
V. Anthera : 'Wake the song of Jubilee.'
VI. Address by Governor Walter Harriman.
VII. Anthem : ' Praise God from whom all blessings flow.'
VIII. Benediction by Rev. R. M. Sargent of Farmington as Grand Chaplain."