A Congregational Church was organized in Brimfield on March 29, 1847 with the Rev. J. Blanchard, the President of Knox College, presiding as moderator. The original six members were soon joined by seven others.
Services were held either in the schoolhouse or at the Methodist Church until 1852 when they resolved to build a church of their own. Most of the work of the building was done by the members who hewed and sawed the heavy timbers in the woods nearby. The work progressed slowly, but in 1854 the new building was dedicated during the pastorate of the Rev. J.E. Roy. It was 50x36 ft. in size, well built, and was considered to be a handsome structure for those times. _
Along with other congregations in Brimfield, the church experienced a declining membership after the Civil War. In 1883 a plan was worked out with the Presbyterians whereby the two churches would pay the salary of one minister who would share his services between the two congregations. The plan proved to be unworkable, and the Congregational church continued on its own. In 1900 its membership was increased when the Presbyterian church finally closed its doors and a number of its members joined the Congregationalists.
In 1896 a violent wind storm damaged the 45 year old building. In February of 1899, after much preliminary discussion, the members decided to build a new church. The original building was sold and removed to a lot across from the Belcher Hotel — a lot now occupied by Jim’s Market. For a number of years it served as a hardware store.
The Brimfield News of April 7, 1899 reported that “the feat of removing the bell from the old Congregational church was successfully performed yesterday under the super- vision of a D.G. Maxwell, the pump and windmill expert. The bell weighs 652 pounds, and it was quite a job to get it away from the belfry and lowered to the ground.” An old receipted bill, dated Nov. 8, 1855 shows that the bell (which still rings in the belfry of the Union Church) was purchased in Chicago from a company which dealt in safes, scales, etc. Its weight was listed at 652 pounds, the cost was $254.00 plus freight charges from Chicago.
The new church was built on the site of the old one and was ready for dedication on Nov. 26, 1899, free of debt. The total cost came to about $5000.00. The local newspaper wrote of it: “It is a gem of beauty, 42 ft. square, with basement rooms, in modern style of architecture, and well equipped in every respect. The membership never was, nor is now, very large, but it is a loyal, faithful organization of intelligent and generous people.” The congregation continued to be small, but always supported a resident pastor who lived in a parsonage sup- plied by the church.
It was in 1924 that the 118 members of the Congregational church united with members from the Methodist Church to form a new Union Church at Brimfield, which church con- tinues to hold its services in the church built by the Congregationalists in 1899.
Services were held either in the schoolhouse or at the Methodist Church until 1852 when they resolved to build a church of their own. Most of the work of the building was done by the members who hewed and sawed the heavy timbers in the woods nearby. The work progressed slowly, but in 1854 the new building was dedicated during the pastorate of the Rev. J.E. Roy. It was 50x36 ft. in size, well built, and was considered to be a handsome structure for those times. _
Along with other congregations in Brimfield, the church experienced a declining membership after the Civil War. In 1883 a plan was worked out with the Presbyterians whereby the two churches would pay the salary of one minister who would share his services between the two congregations. The plan proved to be unworkable, and the Congregational church continued on its own. In 1900 its membership was increased when the Presbyterian church finally closed its doors and a number of its members joined the Congregationalists.
In 1896 a violent wind storm damaged the 45 year old building. In February of 1899, after much preliminary discussion, the members decided to build a new church. The original building was sold and removed to a lot across from the Belcher Hotel — a lot now occupied by Jim’s Market. For a number of years it served as a hardware store.
The Brimfield News of April 7, 1899 reported that “the feat of removing the bell from the old Congregational church was successfully performed yesterday under the super- vision of a D.G. Maxwell, the pump and windmill expert. The bell weighs 652 pounds, and it was quite a job to get it away from the belfry and lowered to the ground.” An old receipted bill, dated Nov. 8, 1855 shows that the bell (which still rings in the belfry of the Union Church) was purchased in Chicago from a company which dealt in safes, scales, etc. Its weight was listed at 652 pounds, the cost was $254.00 plus freight charges from Chicago.
The new church was built on the site of the old one and was ready for dedication on Nov. 26, 1899, free of debt. The total cost came to about $5000.00. The local newspaper wrote of it: “It is a gem of beauty, 42 ft. square, with basement rooms, in modern style of architecture, and well equipped in every respect. The membership never was, nor is now, very large, but it is a loyal, faithful organization of intelligent and generous people.” The congregation continued to be small, but always supported a resident pastor who lived in a parsonage sup- plied by the church.
It was in 1924 that the 118 members of the Congregational church united with members from the Methodist Church to form a new Union Church at Brimfield, which church con- tinues to hold its services in the church built by the Congregationalists in 1899.