Methodism in Manchester

The Methodist Church began in Manchester in the spring of 1790, when the Rev George Roberts preached a sermon at the home of Thomas Spencer of Hartford Rd. On October 24, 1822, the cornerstone of the new East Methodist Church was laid on the site of the present Masonic Temple. The building was 50ft by 28ft. It had two stories and a small tower. A larger building was made necessary when 100 new members were received. The third Church, the first one on the present site, was dedicated on November 9, 1854. In 1891, this building was enlarged and a new organ installed.  At this time, Church School membership was 486.

The Present Church

The present edifice was completed in 1925. It was the fulfillment of a dream of A. Willard Case, and constituents. The architect was Arthur Eaton Hill of Providence, RI, who died before the building was completed. The Rev. Joseph Cooper was the Senior Pastor of the church and the Rev. Russell E. Waitt, was the Associate Pastor.

The style of the church is Tudor gothic (the interior of the church bears a resemblance to St. Thomas Episcopal Church on the Fifth Avenue in New Your City). The building material is local gray field stone with trimmings of gray cast stone. A square tower, 67ft in height and surmounted by turreted battlements, is placed at the southwest corner of the main building, It contains the bell from the old church and a memorial set of chime bells, ranging in size from 275 to 2000 pounds.

The highest point of the auditorium has been topped with a copper spire, which adds a tough of lightness to the mass of the building. The roof is of variegated, soft colored, heavy slate. The windows are of English Cathedral glass leaded in small panes. A special feature of the church exterior is an outdoor pulpit. This is known as "The Ellis Pulpit" in memory of the Rev. Sherman E. Ellis, who died in 1914 while Pastor of the church.

In 1958, the church purchased the land across Hartford Rd from the estate of Frank Cheney, Jr., which included two dwellings situated on ten acres of land. The dwellings have been used various way throughout the years.

In the early 1970's the new education wing was added to the church structure and is presently being used for church school purposes.