Congregational Chapel in Essex Vermont

Previously on the Blog we noted that Samuel Griffin was appointed to a committee to select a location for a meeting house, stick the stakes, for the Congregational Society. Here is a description of the first church building to occupy that site. “ In the spring of 1803 the meeting house was built upon the same ground now occupies by the brick one. It was 40 by 50 feet, a plain building, having neither portico nor cupola, but entrances upon all sides. The high-back, square pews were in style at that day. A gallery on three sides, with the same high-back pews, which offered a hiding place for roguish boys, and the high pulpit, with the deacons’ seat beneath, presented a marked contrast with the present day furnishings. Here the people of the town assembled from Sabbath to Sabbath to listen to the word of life, sitting in winter without fire, for stoves were not in vogue.” Surviving church records indicate that the extended Griffin family was deeply involved in the affairs of the Congregational Society that met in this building. Samuel Griffin and his 3rd wife Mercy Bailey. Their son’s Samuel, John and Dan along with Joel and Asahel when they were in Essex visiting their father. Samuel Griffin Jun. married Deacon Samuel Bradley’s daughter Sylvia. Deacon Bradley would have occupied his position in the deacons’ seat beneath the pulpit.