497 Province Rd Gilmanton NH 03237
Churches have a wonderful history, full of rich learning; dramatic decisions, stagnant times of discouragement and a great fluctuation in membership and leadership. One historian writes: “Time will not allow to speak of the severe trials, the dark days and heroic struggles amidst discouragement, or of the favors received, the blessings enjoyed and the victories won. But like Paul, ‘Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before us, we press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Amen! History informs us but should never hold us prisoner. The past offers a magnificent tapestry of experience from which we may learn and grow as we move forward. History is what has made us what we are today and the decisions and actions we make will be tomorrow’s history! At times churches can become stagnant, feeling locked in to ‘what has been’ rather than ‘what might be’ when Christ leads us forward to new horizons of possibility. History is important and always to be valued, but not worshiped!
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History Archives
Some History of the Centre and United Churches: 1826- to the Present Looking at the history of our churches in Gilmanton we find many changes over the years. In the year 1826, some members of the Smith Meeting House were dismissed to form two new Congregational churches in the villages of Gilmanton Corner and Gilmanton Iron Works. Both churches were originally called ‘Meeting Houses’ in the custom of the day.
The Centre Church was established as ‘The Academy Village Congregational Church’ and then as ‘The Congregational Church’ in Gilmanton Center; later known as Gilmanton Corner. As far as research shows at this time, this name was still held in 1912 at least. The United Church was called ‘The Iron Works Meeting House’ in Gilmanton. As early as 1888 The Free Will Baptist Church and the Congregational churches had union services when one or the other were without a pastor.
There was a devastating fire in the Iron Works in 1915 which completely destroyed The Free Will Baptist Church. “There began at this time, united efforts in the calling of The Rev. Arthur V. Dimock as the pastor for 6 months and on January 1, 1917 ‘Articles of Federation of the Free Will Baptist Church and the Congregational Church’; were accepted that called this new alliance to be known as the ‘Federated Churches of Gilmanton Iron Works’.” In 1946 the Federated Church became incorporated. It was not until February 27, 1952 that the name ‘The United Church of Gilmanton Iron Works’ came into being.
Churches have a wonderful history, full of rich learning; dramatic decisions, stagnant times of discouragement and a great fluctuation in membership and leadership.
One historian writes: “Time will not allow to speak of the severe trials, the dark days and heroic struggles amidst discouragement, or of the favors received, the blessings enjoyed and the victories won. But like Paul, ‘Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before us, we press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Amen!
History informs us but should never hold us prisoner. The past offers a magnificent tapestry of experience from which we may learn and grow as we move forward. History is what has made us what we are today and the decisions and actions we make will be tomorrow’s history! At times churches can become stagnant, feeling locked in to ‘what has been’ rather than ‘what might be’ when Christ leads us forward to new horizons of possibility. History is important and always to be valued, but not worshiped!