The Original Congregational Church in Wrentham will be holding its annual Spring Concert on Saturday, May 6 at 5 p.m., followed by a potluck supper. The concert is free and will feature the various music groups of the church, including bell and chime choirs, singing choirs, and soloists. The concert is part of the 325th anniversary celebration of the founding of the church in 1692. All are welcome to attend.
Although the first meetinghouse was built on the Wrentham Common in 1682, it was not until April 3, 1692 that the Church of Christ in Wrentham was organized. Samuel Man was ordained as the first pastor, and Samuel Fisher was named as the first Deacon. For historical perspective, in 1692 the Salem witch trials were still going on and the last execution for witchcraft in England was not until 1712. In 1738, 24 members left to form a congregation in what is now Franklin and now called Franklin Federated Church. In 1779, 18 members left to form the Bethany Congregational Church in Foxboro, and in 1794 some members left to form a new church in Norfolk, now called the Federated Church of Norfolk. Although the name of the Original Congregational Church derives from the spin-off of its three daughter churches, the present name was not finalized until about 1900.
The present church building was built in 1834, renovated in 1958, and expanded with the Fellowship Hall and new Sunday school rooms added in 1995. The stained glass window in the sanctuary of the church is dedicated to the memory of the Rev. Horace James, the sixth church pastor.
For more information, call the church office at 508-384-8084. The office is open Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Issue Date:
May, 2017
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