The majestic spire of The Olde Meeting House of the Peacham Congregational Church is a visual icon in the heart of Peacham and one of the most photographed buildings in New England. In 2021, the church building, built in 1806, celebrates its 215^th anniversary. This significant milestone is joined by the 150^th anniversary of the church’s organ, and the 227^th anniversary of the founding of the church’s congregation on April 14^th, 1794. The church is planning four key events during 2021 to create a year-long celebration to honor its legacy.
 
A committee for the year-long celebration was created in September 2020, led by Rev. Sonia Dunbar, who was recently called as settled pastor for the Peacham Congregational Church.
 
The Congregation Celebrates its 227^th Anniversary

On April 10^th at 4:30 p.m., an online lecture (via Zoom) is planned to host “Olden Day,” recollecting the history of the church when it was founded in 1794. The last “Olden Day” was held at the church in 1994 when the church celebrated its congregations’ bicentennial.

Documents from church founders have been discovered in the archives of the Peacham Historical Association, some of which predate the formal founding of the church. These also include letters from the first settled pastor, Rev. Leonard Worchester.
 
“We are bringing the past to life and highlighting what times were like in Peacham in the late 18^th century. In 1794, Peacham was in the “wilderness” so to speak and our journey as a church began with 12 pioneer men and women. We are excited to discover the original church charter survives, handwritten and signed in 1794,” said Dunbar.
 
The Olde Meeting House Has Stood for 215 Years
 
The historic building, The Olde Meeting House, has a vast history, not only as a church, but a community gathering place and historic structure. Plans are underway for a panel of preservation, spiritual, and historic professionals offering a discussion on the history of the building on July 3^rd in Peacham. The panel will consist of Jan Lewandoski, owner of Restoration and Traditional Building, a company specializing in the restoration and reconstruction of historic timber frame structures; Adam King, founder and director of Arcadia Restorations specializing in the faithful restoration, re-creation, and preservation of historic structures and timber frames; Susan Chandler, Collections and Research Manager for the Peacham Historical Association; and Rev. Sonia Dunbar. 
 
“Adam King recently completed an extensive conditions assessment that includes an architectural and preservation analysis of The Olde Meeting House. We are pleased to host him with Jan Lewandoski to discuss the unique construction methods and materials used when this structure was erected in 1806. The original site of the church was up on the hill near where the firehouse is today and they actually moved the building across the fields to its current location.”
 
  The Organ is 150 Years Old
 
On Friday, September 17^th at 5 p.m. organist Hal Parker, the music director for the Greensboro United Church of Christ, will perform selections for the organ that date to the time when the organ was “exhibited” 150 years ago in September 1871. During the original exhibition, organist Edward Howe and soloist Sabrina H. Dow presented a selection of sacred music. The organ was a gift from Peacham resident Oliver Johnson who offered the church an Odell organ costing $1,300, an extravagant gift at the time. The church spent $7,300 renovating the building to accommodate the gift. In 1957, a generous donation of $13,000 by Charles F. Brown provided the resources for a “rebuilding and enlarging” of the organ by The Estey Organ Company of Brattleboro, VT.
 
Reflections from the entire year of events will be celebrated with a special service on December 4^th with expressions of gratitude for the church, their service, their ministry, and commitment to community. All are welcome to join in the celebration and information on the four events will be posted to the church website www.peachamchurch.org.              

“After a year under the dark shadow of this pandemic, we are eager to celebrate life and three significant milestones for our church,” said Rev. Sonia Dunbar. “We are encouraged with the support we have received from members of our own church and community and key partners across the state. These events will help us honor those who supported us in difficult times. The stories and history of our church and building are incredible and we are looking forward to sharing them with friends near and far.”
 
Photo by Timm Judas