1640 – Rev. John Youngs, who had been a Minister in Hingham, England, came to New Haven, Conn. with a group from his church. They had fled England because of the “tyranny and oppression, and sought asylum or the enjoyment of religious freedom.” From New Haven they moved to Southold, Long Island, NY.
1714 – a group from the Southold Church moved into this area, and set about establishing a Church here.
1740 – Church organized
1747 – First House of Worship was erected.
1773 First Pastor, Rev. Samuel Swayze left Chester in the spring and settled in the wilderness in chat is now the State of Mississippi,
1803 – Second House of Worship erected.
1856 – Third (and present) House of Worship erected.
1873 – Organ Installed.
1909 – The horse sheds were built behind the Sanctuary. In the 1950s and 60s, these sheds were used during the annual fairs for games and booths.
1935 – July 3rd – The Rev. Basil L. Johnson accepted the call to the pastorate of the Church and will begin his duties at once.
1935 (Fall) – A corner cupboard has been built by Mr. A. Snedaker under the balcony in the northwest corner of the Church. Its purpose was to contain valuable antiques, records, etc. Cost is $50.00. The choir loft was also enlarged and repairs made wherever necessary in the Church auditorium. A better lighting system was installed. Pews were grained and refinished.
1936 (Jan. 17th) – Contract for the redecorating of the Church was given to Mr. Daniel McDonald for $1420 as per specifications and he engaged Carl Hoegger of Morristown to paint the walls. The Church was soon closed and the work was begun. This was in anticipation of the 200th anniversary of the Church’s founding.
1936 (May 31st) – rededication service was held and Dr. D. Diefendorf of Drew University made the address.
1938 (April 8th) – The new Pilgrim Hymnals were put into use by Pastor Rev. Basil L. Johnson.
1940 (Sept. 15 – 22) – Church’s 200th Anniversary Celebration
1943 (November) – The Book of Remembrance was presented to the Church by Miss Sara Stone. The table which holds the book was given by the Fritts family.
1946 (May 9) – The Trustees were empowered to buy the Cyphers’ property adjoining the church for a parsonage ($11,000) and sell the old parsonage on Main Street ($12,000). Rev. Zezzo and his family took possession of the new parsonage August 15th, 1946.
1953 (Palm Sunday) – A brass cross and candlesticks were dedicated in memory of Miss Carrie Fritts who had served as clerk for 20 years and Treasurer for 17 years.
1957 (Spring) – The Odell Organ was restored to “first class shape” for the amount of $2,000. This organ is the second oldest in the country built by O’Dell Co.
1858 – A strip of land 66’ X 445’ adjacent to the Parsonage and behind the Chester House was purchased for a new facility.
1961 (March 27) – A congregational meeting was called to discuss the pros and cons of the constitution and the merger of our church with the United Church of Christ. On a meeting in May a vote was taken and merger passed 36-6.
1963 (Sept. 8) – The new Christian Education Building, built by Lee Case was dedicated and the new minister, Dr. Cutler was welcomed.
1964 (March 8) – The Christian Education Building was officially named “Hillside Center” and the large room “Pilgrim Hall.”
1971 (Oct. 24) – A decision was made to withdraw from the United Church of Christ and with that lost Rev. Leroy Hastings and 26 members of the church.
1973 – Rather than paint the church, it was decided to have aluminum siding installed at three times the cost ($7600).
1976 – The “Good News” monthly church newsletters began in March and the new missions program of 25% of offerings was put into place.
1977 – The Church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
1979 – Chapel renovation completed, such as new floors, insulation, lavatories and windows installed, new porch, reconstructed doors and a new plumbing and heating systems installed.
Notes:
We have the honor and distinction of being the oldest Congregation Church, West of the Hudson River. In 1740, the church’s records relate, Rev. Samuel Sweezy, with several members of the congregation, left the Chester congregation, having served them for 20 years, and founded the first Protestant Church in what is now Mississippi. Thus, the Church claims the title of “Mother of Protestantism and congregationalism in the great Southwest.
The chandelier, given to the congregation by members of a sister church in Newark at the time the building was erected at a cost of $5,000, still sheds light on Sunday worshippers today.
The painting, a series of 12 columns marching back through th4e scene in perspective and said to represent the 12 disciple or pillars or the church, was uncovered in the 1930’s by an artisan who was scraping paint from the walls in preparation for redecorating.
We have had many, many Ministers during our history. One Minister only stayed for 27 hours! And one minister, who stayed for only 4 years, received 220 members into the congregation!
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