Each Monday we share an Essex photo or artifact on the Essex on Lake Champlain Facebook page and invite our viewers to play some Vintage Essex Trivia. Last week we shared the photo above that was shared with us by Mary Wade (Thank you, Mary!). Do you recognize this church? It looks a little different today because the steeple/bell tower is missing. This is the former Methodist-Episcopal Church, commonly referred to as the “Old Stone Church.”
Sources say that the steeple was lost “over 50 years ago”—does anyone have a more specific date? Does anyone know why it was removed? Maybe one day it will be restored! I’d like to see that.
The church was built in 1836 and hosted religious services until this congregation and the Essex Baptist and Presbyterian congregations joined together in 1922 and formed the Federated Church (aka the Essex Community Church). The building was then used by the Masonic Order until 1930 when the group moved to the old Baptist Church, and subsequently the old stone church was purchased by the American Legion two years later. The building was given to the Town in 2007.
When you walk or drive by the building check out the tall, arched windows to see some beautiful stained glass work.
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.
Related articles
- Vintage Photo: Essex Waterfront (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Photo: Old Essex Firehouse (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Postcard: Main Street Essex (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Postcard: Essex Inn (Early 1900s) (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Postcard: 1940s Main Street Looking South (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Photo: St. Joseph’s Church (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
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