March 31, 2006

The First Parish Church Meeting House Needs Your Support for the Next 200 Years.

The year was 1809. Thomas Jefferson’s term as President was coming to an end. The average life expectancy was 35. Workers typically earned $1 per day. And the cornerstone of Manchester’s Meeting House was put in place. It was a long time ago, nearly 200 years.

Now, a campaign is underway to ensure that the Meeting House, which is the focal point in the center of town and today is called the First Parish Church, is here for another 200 years. The First Parish Church Meeting House Campaign plans to raise $500,000 to fund the restoration and repair of the building and to create an endowment to fund ongoing building maintenance and capital improvements well into the future. The outward appearance of this classic example of New England architecture of the period is good, but there are drainage and moisture problems under and around the building and several structural timbers must be replaced. The annual operating expenses for the building are funded by the First Parish Church members.

Many consider it to be the most beautiful building in town. It is Manchester’s fourth Meeting House, all of which were built on or close to the present site. The first, according to unofficial records, was constructed in 1656. The second, only 18 feet long, was built in 1685. It was replaced in 1721 by a larger structure. In 1753, a steeple was added and the weather cock, which now sits atop the present day building, was acquired. This third Church Meeting House also faced to the east.

In 1804, the town voted to build a new Meeting House at a cost of $8500. The old Meeting House was sold at auction and taken down, and the building of the new Meeting House started in 1809. Town records do not say exactly when the old building was removed or when the dedication of the new one was held. In 1855, repairs were made and the building was modernized. In 1882, the town acquired a tower clock, complete with pulleys and dials for four faces, which was installed in the steeple and still runs. The 2200 pound bell served long and faithfully until it cracked in 1914 and was replaced by the one we hear today. Quite a furor erupted when this last bell was delivered because the names of the Selectmen were made in the casting. Arguments grew heated, and eventually the names were chipped off with a chisel to settle the dispute.

But where are Manchester’s other 19th century buildings? There are precious few left. The Manchester Public Library, built in 1887, was a gift of Thomas Coolidge, a summer resident. The Trask House on Union Street, named for Abigail Hooper Trask who purchased and remodeled the property in 1822, now is the headquarters of the Manchester Historical Society.

Unfortunately, most of the rest of them are gone. The original Town Hall, a three story building built in 1868, became too small to accommodate the growing community. In 1920, the town decided to replace it but discussion about what to build and where continued through the century, and it was not until 1969 that the current structure was built.

The original Story High School was built in 1851 but burned down in 1873. It was rebuilt on the same Bennett Street site in 1874 and additions were made in 1897, 1909, and 1927. But it was deemed to have outlived its usefulness and was razed in 1954. The George A. Priest School on Norwood Avenue was built in 1890 but its facilities soon grew out of date and it too, was razed in 1954. Other early schools met a similar fate. By the 1960’s, the town had no 19th century schools.

The fire station on School Street, of wooden construction, was built in 1891 when all fire apparatus was either hand drawn or horse drawn. In 1974, it was replaced with the brick structure that serves the town today.

For many residents, the First Parish Church Meeting House holds a lot of downtown memories of community and family events: the annual Friendship Tree lighting with carols, and hot chocolate provided by the Women’s Club; community concerts; the High School Baccalaureate; lecture programs; weddings, and more.

But it needs your support to ensure that those memories will continue to be made well into the future. The campaign is underway and soon you will receive a brochure asking for your support. The Campaign and Steering Committees hope you’ll be generous and thank you for your help. If you do not receive a brochure and would like to make a contribution, please contact The First Parish Church Meeting House Campaign office at 978-526-7661, or mail your check to P.O. Box 502, Manchester, or visit the campaign website at www.FirstParishChurchMeetingHouse.org for further information. The website also has a short video describing the role that this magnificent building has played in our community.

With your help, we can make the next 200 years at the First Parish Meeting House as memorable as the first 200 years have been!