First Congregational Church - Stockbridge, MA, USA - This Old Church on Waymarking.com

Our Church was formally organized in October 1734 in the Indian settlement of Stockbridge. A young tutor from Yale named John Sergeant was sent to preach to the Muh-He-Kun-Ne-Ok

(Mohican) people of the Berkshire Hills. His stated intentions were to fulfill his dream of “cultivating humanity and promoting the salvation of souls,” when he assumed his duties in the wilderness. On October 18, 1734 at a meeting with Lt. Umpachene (John Sergeant’s interpreter) and a Christian Mission. Umpachene was baptized by the Rev. Nehemiah Bull. This was the birth of our church.

Sergeant was well loved by his adopted people, and many became Christians because of his influence. He died in 1749 and was succeeded by Jonathan Edwards, a fiery and controversial pastor from Northampton. While in Stockbridge he devoted his time to continuing his work among the Mohican people and to writing. It was during his tenure here that he wrote his masterpiece, FREEDOM OF THE WILL, which remains one of the greatest works in american theology.

The very first church building stood on the green where children’s chimes now stand from 1739-1785. It was two stories high, built of wood with three doors: one at each end and one on the south side. There were two aisles in this church. It was torn down to make a barn. The second church building, 1785-1824, stood on high ground at the foot of Old Meeting House Road. It was also made of wood, 60X50’, the steeple rose 62’ at the east end. It was often repaired and finally deemed unsafe. The present brick building, built in 1824, was restructured in 1865 to accommodate the famous Johnson Organ; the Education building was added in 1956 and the pulpit/lectern area redesigned in 1998. (Information taken from “The first 250 years...1734-1984”)

In 1960 ours was the first church to cast its affirmative vote, becoming the first Congregational Church in the nation to join with Congregational, Christian, Evangelical and Reformed churches to form the present UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST.

Reverend Steven W. Bridges
First Congregational Church
Stockbridge, Massachusetts

Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 01/01/1824 Age of Church building determined by?: Church staff member If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Sunday Street address of Church: Village Green Stockbridge, MA USA 01262 Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link] Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link] If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: Not listed If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: Not listed Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: Not Listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   04/30/2010 GAGELSIE visited it