History of the ECCC in a Nutshell
Our Founding
December 30, 1839, citizens of the towns of Corinth, Topsham and Newbury, in the vicinity of East Corinth, formed an Association to build a Union Meetinghouse, open to all denominations. The Methodists decided instead to build their own church across the street. Congregationalists, members of the First Congregational Church in Corinth Center, and Universalists shared this building until support for the Universalists died out, about 1916.
In 1918 the First Congregational Church in Corinth Center reorganized and became two churches. The East Corinth Congregational Church was recognized and welcomed into the fraternity of Congregational Churches May 28, 1918.
Our Denomination
Congregational Churches and the Christian Church (two separate denominations) merged June 17, 1931 to become the Congregational Christian Church. The Congregational Christian Churches and Evangelical and Reformed Church merged June 25, 1957 to become the United Church of Christ. East Corinth Congregational Church affirmed its covenant with the new denomination by voting May 28, 1961 to approve the merger.
Our Building
When the building was finished in 1840, a meeting was called and 48 pews were sold and deeded to individuals who organized as the East Corinth Union Meeting House Society. Pew holders owned the meeting house until 1955 when it was deeded to the East Corinth Congregational Church.
The building has undergone many changes since it was built. The steeple was added in 1870. The memorial stained glass windows were installed in 1909 and restored in 1983. Originally the building had two entrance doors, vestibules and entrances into the sanctuary. The pulpit chancel was in the east/street end of the sanctuary and the pews faced east, so you faced the congregation as you entered. In 1924 the sanctuary and vestibule were remodeled as you see them today.
The foundation of the church building was repaired and the vestry remodeled in 1955/6. Funds for the most recent remodeling of the downstairs were given as a memorial to Leo Williams Hutchinson (1895-1980). The vestry was dedicated August 22, 1982 and named the Hutchinson Vestry in his honor. The kitchen addition, dedicated October 12, 1997, was funded by the Herbert T. & Barbara Richmond Clark Endowment to the church.
Our History as a Yoked Church
The First Congregational Church in Corinth Center and the East Corinth Congregational Church shared a pastor until the 1940s. Horace P. James in 1880 was the first minister to make his residence in East Corinth, holding services in both churches each Sunday. The Corinth Center church dissociated from the Vermont Congregational Conference in 1956 and continues today as the Corinth Bible Church.
In 1970, East Corinth Congregational Church and Topsham United Presbyterian Church yoked under Articles of Agreement to be served by one minister. The churches retained separate governments and church services were held in both locations most Sundays. This yoke was broken December 1, 2000.
Our Place in Our Community
When our towns were organized, the churches were the center of life, not only for religious activities, but also for social functions. The automobile, television, and the new population diversity are but a few of the things that have shifted the focus somewhat. Our building remains the visual focal point of our community. We strive to be a spiritual focal point as well, seeking to be a “house of prayer for all peoples” (Isaiah 56:7) providing ecumenical opportunities for worship, fellowship and service for the communities we serve.
