The First Congregational Church of Sudbury was organized in 1803, and the building was built by Charles G. Stewart in 1807. The earliest record of any Church service being held was June 5, 1807.
Originally, a tall steeple completed the south side of the structure and three-sided box pews were arranged on the ground floor. The pulpit was at the north end, raised high above the congregation, with steps leading up to it. A gallery, accessed by a winding staircase, was used by singers and musicians; a Sunday School library was located under the gallery.
On January 12, 1851 the Congregational Society empowered Lyman Sanders of Sudbury “to quit claim and convey to the Town of Sudbury all the interest the Society have or had in the Lower Story of the Meeting House in said town.” In exchange, the voters passed at their annual March meeting in 1850 that “the Town of Sudbury repair said Meeting house by expending a sum not less than two hundred dollars.”
Since then the lower story of the Meeting House has been used by the Town of Sudbury “for any and all town purposes reserving to said Society the joint occupancy of the front entrance so as to give the Society convenient access to the upper story.”
In 1854, a upper floor was built “from gallery to gallery”, making the upper level of the Church as it is today. The arrangement of the pews was changed from the box pews to the straight, long pews used today, and the original winding staircase to the second floor gallery was replaced with a straight, wide stairway.
A complete renovation of the lower floor was done around 1854 also. The platform which was part of the original pulpit was lowered and now serves as a stage in the Town Hall portion of the building. In 1905, Sudbury residents voted to be taxed to provide funds to hang the bell in the bell tower. Between 1907 and 1917 Charles Henry of Ferrisburgh, Vt. came to Sudbury with his “Henry Family Theater Company” and painted canvas backdrop curtains for his performances. Five of these scenic curtains remain in the Sudbury Meeting House, and were restored in 2002 to serviceable condition.
The lack of a heating system limits Church services to the warm months of the year, and for decades the proprietor of Hyde Manor, J.C. Hyde, carried the summer guests of his lavish hotel to Sunday services. Local community residents, as well as summer residents and guests, filled the pews each week for decades. However, from 1972 until 1976, summer services were suspended, and throughout the 1980’s services were held sporadically.
In 1994 the few remaining members of the Society reopened for weekly worship services. The opening service in 1994 was held on June 5, the same day as the first Church service 187 years prior. In 1994 and 2003, new members have joined the Society and services are held every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. from Memorial Day to Columbus Day weekend. In 2004, Church services will resume on May 23. Guest ministers, including retired clergy from the local area and Vermont Conference ministers, will preach. Please plan to come and worship in a beautiful and historic building this summer !