Every Monday we share a vintage image on the Essex on Lake Champlain Facebook page and invite our viewers to play some Vintage Essex Trivia. Do you recognize this building without the photo’s title giving it away? I would not be surprised if you don’t as this building no longer exists. It’s the Essex Baptist Church.

Two members of the community did recognize the church and shared some information about it. Take a look:

 Susan Martini: Yes, I recognize that Baptist Church. That church use to stand on our back lot (backyard) on Beggs Pt. Road. To the left of the church was the parsonage for the church (N. Goff’s place). The church burnt down in 1943, I believe.

Dianne Lansing: I agree….the Baptist church that stood in the lot next to Norma Goff”s. Amazing to think that such in impressive building was located on that small lot!

Built in 1842, the Baptist Church served it congregation for many years until services ceased there  in 1924 when the Baptists joined with the Presbyterians and Methodists to form the Essex Community Church. The Iroquois Lodge of Masons been occupied the former Methodist Episcopal Church for a time, but they bought this church in 1931 and used it until fire incinerated it just over a decade later in 1943.

I’ve never heard anything about the cause of the fire. Does anyone know?

Look at the stereoview image above and to the right to see the another view of the Essex Baptist Church that includes the full steeple.

Share Your Essex Artifacts

If you want to share your old photos of Essex (or brochures; postcards; menus; tickets; any artifact) on the blog please email us at editor [at] essexonlakechamplain [dot] com.

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• Vintage Stereoview: Essex Baptist Church Steeple (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
• Former Essex Baptist Church & Masonic Lodge (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
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• Old Stone Church: It’s Time to Return this Beautiful Building to Prominence (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)