Norwich NY's Pioneer Church

Norwich's Pioneer Church

Utica Saturday Globe, January 1913

 

 

Edifice of Congregational Body, the Oldest in the Village

of Norwich, Chenango County, New York

 

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  The history of Congregationalism in Chenango county begins practically with the 19th century, the opening years of which several churches were organized in this locality.

 

The first religious services in Norwich were held in 1793 or 1794, following which various societies were organized, but the initial step toward the institution of a church was taken in 1814, when Rev. Joel T. Benedict, a missionary in the Congregational church was invited to come to Norwich and establish a church.  He reached Norwich on Tuesday, June 14,  and spent the remainder of the week seeing those who desired to become members of an established church and examining them as to their faith and orthodoxy.  On Sunday, June 19, 1814, the church was organized with 21 members, 7 men and 14 women.  [It] was the first religious sect to be organized in Norwich, although closely followed by the organization of the First Baptist Church on August 18 of the same year, Elder Has--- was a resident of the village at the time and was very much opposed to the formation of the Congregational church.  Failing in his efforts in that direction, he became one of the 15 original members of the Baptist Church.

 

Both churches began building in the same year, the Congregationalists starting operations first, but the Baptists outstripped them and finished their edifice first.  The Baptist Church stood on what is now the East Side Park in front of the Piano Block, while the Congregational Church occupied a part of the present site.  Both buildings were of wood.  A number of years later the stone Baptist Church was erected on the present site across West Side Park from the Congregational, where each could conveniently keep an eye on the other and keep the chips carefully adjusted on their shoulders.

 

The first Congregational Church was dedicated July 14, 1819, and was occupied until it was destroyed by fire in February, 1858.  The second church, which was of brick, was dedicated June 16, 1862, and constitutes the eastern portion of the present building.  It was enlarged and rededicated in 1874 and again remodeled and rededicated in 1910. 

 

Of the 27 pastorates of the church, that of Rev. Samuel Scoville was the longest, lasting for 18 years, from 1861 to 1879.  It witnessed the completion and dedication of the first brick building and the enlargement to the present dimensions.