Vermont AHGP
Part of the American History and
Genealogy Project
Churches and Ministers
The Christian Denomination
The first Christian church was organized in Calais, December 2, 1810, by Elder Reuben Dodge and Benjamin Putnam. There is but little account of the church on record till 1824. Elder Dodge and Elder Putnam supplied them with preaching part of the time.
In October, 1824, Elder Edward B. Rollins and Elder Seth Allen re-organized the church, and introduced the Rollins' discipline, (so called).
Ezekiel Burnham was chosen Ruling Elder or Bishop of the church. Edward B. Rollins and Seth Allen were invited to take the oversight of the church. The number of members at this time was about thirty.
Previous to this organization, the church had no written creed or articles of faith; taking the Scriptures as their rule of faith and practice. In 1835 or 1836, the Vermont Conference laid aside the Rollins discipline, and returned to their former rule.
Among them were Jasper Hazen, Elhanan Winchester, R. Allen. Among those who have been instrumental in building up the church are the following, viz.: Elders Benjamin Page, John Capron, Abraham Hartshorn, Isaac Petingal, Leonard Wheeler, Wm. Sweet and _____ Goolet, etc. The church now numbers 85 members.
Universalist Parish in Calais
By Rev. Lester Warren, 1881.
The venerable William Farwell first promulgated our sentiments in Washington County; Hon. D. P. Thompson, says in his History of Montpelier, Mr. Farwell advocated our faith in a debate with Rev. Chester Wright, the grandfather of J. Edward. This public discussion was held in the street of Montpelier, under the first shade trees of the village; a multitude of people were present in the streets to hear this debate, and we doubt not some of the fathers whose names here follow listened with intense interest to that discussion, and returned to organize a "parish" in Calais, just 60 years ago; dated at Calais, Dec. 14, 1820, we have this document:
The record states this first meeting was held at Gideon Wheelock's dwelling-house, in Calais, Feb. 21, 1821; Levi Wright, moderator, of said meeting ; Gideon Wheelock, clerk. A constitution and bylaws were adopted at this meeting to govern the society and the following officers chosen: Aaron Lamb, Caleb Curtis, Levi Wright and Medad Wright, prudential com. The 4th article of this constitution reads:
Not all who have acted with the society have have had their names on the book of records, but I find the names of 25 members who have been moderators at annual meetings since the organization, viz:
| Levi Wright Jedediah Fay Jonas Hall Nathan Kelton Abijah Wheelock Medad Wright Welcome Wheelock Pliny Curtis William Robinson |
Abdiel Kent J. V. R. Kent John Robinson Jesse White Samuel O. Robinson Richard W. Toby Alonzo Pearce Nathaniel Eaton |
Jacob Eaton Moses Sheldon Sylvester Eaton Lester Warren E. A. Hathaway Ira S. Dwinell Z. G. Pierce B. P. White |
About 50 Universalist ministers have preached in Calais occasionally. Those who have been employed by the society for any length of time are:
| William Farwell
Paul Dean John E. Palmer Thomas Browning Mr. Amiers |
Lemuel H. Tabor
Lester Warren Sylvester C. Eaton John Gregory George F. Flanders |
D. D. Geo.
Severance J. H. Little J. Edward Wright E. A. Goodenough |
S. C. Hayford, and at the present time George E. Forbes, (one service each Sabbath in the east part of the town.)
Source: History of Washington County Vermont, Collated and Published by Abby Maria Hemenway, 1882.
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