A Brief History
of the Federated Church of Castleton
by Betty Zahnleiter, Church Historian
The charter for Castleton was granted by Governor Benning Wentworth of New Hampshire on September 22, 1761. Nine years later, in 1770, land was set aside for the propagation of the Gospel. Religious services were held in various homes during the 1770s. One Sunday the service was being held in the home of George Foote, one-half mile east of the village, near Fort Warren, when it had to be broken up because the enemy was approaching.
The Congregational Church Society of Castleton was organized June 7, 1784 in a wartime storehouse which was adapted for worship services. During the Town Meeting of 1786, it was voted to build a Meeting House near the old storehouse. During this period, the town and church operated very closely; for instance, church offerings, or tithes, were based on one’s property tax to the town.
The Rev. Matthias Cozier was the first settled minister, coming to Castleton in 1789, preaching in the unfinished Meeting House. The building had been enclosed at this time, but the interior was not completed.
The State Legislature met in the building in 1790. The weight of the legislators caused the floor to give way and most of the assembly men ended up in the cellar, though no one was seriously hurt. The Meeting House was completed in 1796.
The first Sunday school was started in 1819 in the Frisbie Hill School House. It was moved to the church in 1821.
Due to the growth of the town, the old Meeting House soon proved to be too small and plans were drawn to build what is now the present building. The current church, designed by Thomas R. Dake, was built in 1833 at a cost of $6,000. In the old records, the church is referred to as the “Brick Church.”
In 1851 a committee was appointed to see about a chapel building. In 1854 the committee reported favorably and was instructed to proceed with its building. Built beside the church and completed in 1855, it served the congregation for over a hundred years. In 1956 it was sold to be private residence and moved farther back from the road.
In 1903 the Congregational Church merged with the Methodist congregation to form the Federated Church of Castleton. In the early years of the merger, the congregation worshiped in the Congregational Church in the summer and the Methodist Church in the winter months.
In 1955 the church was completely renovated by the George Ellis Family. The sanctuary was redecorated, the new lights and a new chandelier were installed. Classrooms, fellowship hall, stage, and kitchen were added to the basement.
In 1975 the twelve rank, two-manual Bozeman-Gibson tracker organ was installed and dedicated.
The ecumenical movement of the 1950s brought about the formation of the United Church of Christ. The Federated Church of Castleton voted on May 15, 1980 to become a United Church of Christ Church.
Our church has had a long history in Castleton, and continues to provide worship, hospitality, and spirituality to our church members and community.
.
The Congregational Church Society of Castleton was organized June 7, 1784 in a wartime storehouse which was adapted for worship services. During the Town Meeting of 1786, it was voted to build a Meeting House near the old storehouse. During this period, the town and church operated very closely; for instance, church offerings, or tithes, were based on one’s property tax to the town.
The Rev. Matthias Cozier was the first settled minister, coming to Castleton in 1789, preaching in the unfinished Meeting House. The building had been enclosed at this time, but the interior was not completed.
The State Legislature met in the building in 1790. The weight of the legislators caused the floor to give way and most of the assembly men ended up in the cellar, though no one was seriously hurt. The Meeting House was completed in 1796.
The first Sunday school was started in 1819 in the Frisbie Hill School House. It was moved to the church in 1821.
Due to the growth of the town, the old Meeting House soon proved to be too small and plans were drawn to build what is now the present building. The current church, designed by Thomas R. Dake, was built in 1833 at a cost of $6,000. In the old records, the church is referred to as the “Brick Church.”
In 1851 a committee was appointed to see about a chapel building. In 1854 the committee reported favorably and was instructed to proceed with its building. Built beside the church and completed in 1855, it served the congregation for over a hundred years. In 1956 it was sold to be private residence and moved farther back from the road.
In 1903 the Congregational Church merged with the Methodist congregation to form the Federated Church of Castleton. In the early years of the merger, the congregation worshiped in the Congregational Church in the summer and the Methodist Church in the winter months.
In 1955 the church was completely renovated by the George Ellis Family. The sanctuary was redecorated, the new lights and a new chandelier were installed. Classrooms, fellowship hall, stage, and kitchen were added to the basement.
In 1975 the twelve rank, two-manual Bozeman-Gibson tracker organ was installed and dedicated.
The ecumenical movement of the 1950s brought about the formation of the United Church of Christ. The Federated Church of Castleton voted on May 15, 1980 to become a United Church of Christ Church.
Our church has had a long history in Castleton, and continues to provide worship, hospitality, and spirituality to our church members and community.
.
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