The history of the first 192 years of First Congregational Church in Meredith is full of interesting information that tells a great deal about the church and the community as a whole.

On February 20, 1815, six ministers and thirteen men and women met at the home of Moses Morse in Center Harbor to form the “Congregational Church of Christ in Center Harbor and Meredith, 3rd Division”, with Moses Morse selected as Deacon. 

 It is believed the first meeting place for worship was in a small, 35’x40’ , non-denominational house of worship built in 1812 about one mile west of Center Harbor. The first pastor, Rev. David Smith, was installed on March 24, 1819 and died of consumption in 1824, The church membership had grown to 41 at the time of his death.

In April 1831 the name of the church was changed to First Congregational Church in Meredith. In March 1832  the members voted to build a new 40’x50’ building, the present sanctuary, on the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee opposite the old Oak Tree at what is now  the intersection of Pleasant Street and Route 25  .

In 1842, Deacon Furber and his wife, who lived immediately north of the present Fellowship Hall, donated land and requested the church be moved to its present location on Highland Street “for his wife’s convenience”.

In 1871 the church was remodeled and a bell tower and spire were added.  By this time individual gifts given to First Congregational Church included the church’s bell, a large chandelier, a new pulpit, pulpit chairs, pulpit lamps, lamps for the pipe organ and a communion table.

In 1878 due to the increasing size of the congregation the offices, parlor,  and Fellowship Hall were added on to the Sanctuary.

In 1903 Miss Virginia Ladd donated the steeple clock. Also that year, the interior of the church was completely remodeled with electric lights and new pews.

Around 1920, the front of the church was remodeled , changing two single doors to form a central entrance.

A fire above the ceiling in the Sanctuary on December 18, 1938 required extensive repairs to the roof and the heating and electrical systems. The Robinson pipe organ, installed in the church in 1868, required a complete overhaul.   In 1955, the organ was replaced with the present Estey Pipe Organ, built in Bennington, VT.

During the late 1980’s the interior was again redecorated, pew cushions added, and new carpeting was installed in the church offices and Fellowship Hall to make ready for the 175th anniversary celebration in 1990.

In March 2000  the restoration of the church’s steeple and E. Howard Tower clock began . After many years of silence the steeple bell once again began ringing the time of day to the town every hour. 

In 2010 serious damage was discovered above the clock and major repairs were made both above the clock and inside the bell chamber.

These occasions in the life of this historical building  document the loving care that it has received during its first 179 years of serving as our place of gathering for prayer, comfort and celebration. As we progress toward the year 2015 to mark the 200th anniversary of the founding of this congregation back in 1815, we also celebrate the church’s roots in Meredith. 

Please look around you and know that the First Congregational Church has been a place of worship and community service for generations.