History of the Stoddard Congregational Church
Congregational Church with the School to its right. Photo from late 1800s/early 1900s. Note the dirt road in front of Queen Street (present-day School Street).
The Congregational Church was organized September 4, 1787. The first meetings were held in homes of the members. The town charter of 1767 required that the “Grantees shall build a Meeting House for public worship within four years of the date of the Charter.” The Meeting House on Parker Hill and the Meeting House on Dow Hill were erected by the town and could also be used as Town Meeting houses. The present house of worship, however, was erected by and for the Congregational Society in 1836. Funds were raised to build the present building by selling the pews at $15.00 each. Total cost of the building was $2,010.70 with the bell adding to the total cost at $289.69.
In 1942 it was desired to hold services during the winter months. These were held in private homes or in the Davis Library. Because of the war, church suppers were omitted. Vacation Bible School for children was carried on. In 1960 regular winter services were abandoned. In 1961 the church voted to abstain from becoming part of the United Church of Christ. Stoddard Congregational Church is an Independent church, following the teachings of the Bible as the Word of God and governed by the Congregational philosophy. The Annual Meeting is held on the fourth Monday of August. Pastor Ayres was officially hired on August 25, 2008, at the Annual Meeting.
The church was wired for electricity in 1950 and the old lamps and stove were sold in 1951. One of the oldest pipe organs in New Hampshire, built in 1851, was installed in 1932. The trustees of the church secured it from the New England Organ Company for $650. This replaced a small parlor organ, manually pumped. In 1970 the Johnson Track organ was reconditioned and an electric blower was provided. The manual pump handle and gauge are still attached. This historic organ was again restored in 2003 to its original condition and re-dedicated. Another much needed improvement was the installation of dual hot-air furnaces to be able to hold year-round services in the church. In 2007 the Handicap Ramp and Entrance was completed. Parking is available by the ramp and at the site of the former one-room school house. Just completed in 2009 is the restoration of the belfry and steeple. The bell is rung just prior to the 10 am Service weekly.
In 2008 the Congregation purchased the Patricia Campbell House, after her untimely death, to be used as a Parsonage and meeting house. The Trustees meet here monthly as do members of the Women’s Fellowship. The Stoddard Youth Fellowship meets twice monthly and the Friday night Bible Study is held weekly. Prior to the Sunday Service the Deacons also meet with the Pastor on a weekly basis.
From a postcard of c 1964