The Colrain Clarion

The Brick Meeting House (B.M.H.) known first as the Congregational Church and later as the Colrain Community Church traces its genesis to Chandler Hill and the first settlers to our township. When the nascent town's demographics began to shift from the ridge to the river valley below, the house of worship followed and was recreated near the North River Cemetery. The B.M.H. was built in 1833 - 1834 at its present location. The steeple wasn't added until about thirty years later when funding became available.

The B.M.H. served as both a house of worship and as a public meeting hall even after the enactment of the "Separation of Church and State" in the 1830's. Town meetings were usually day-long events with meals prepared and served on the first floor by the ladies. It's not clear when the building became solely a house of worship.

In the 1960's the United Church of Christ, concerned with declining church attendance, merged with the Congregational and Methodist churches. Practical considerations were behind the merger as well since the Congregational church had a furnace while the Methodist across the town common did not. In a spirit of ecumenism the Congregational became the winter church, the Methodist served the congregants in the warmer months. Still, weekly attendance continued to decline.

In the 1970's under the direction of Mr. Elmer, the Congregational church adopted a more fundamentalist view and the Colrain Community Church was born. Much like the Great Awakenings that had swept across New England in the second quarter of the 18th century, Mr. Elmer focused on inculcating a renewed spiritual zeal and sense of urgency in his flock. The congregation, now an admixture of old and new parishioners, began to grow weary of weekly worship in the old building and set their sights on a modern facility, free of the more traditional trappings of Congregationalism. To this end the B.M.H. and the former Methodist churches were put up for sale.

In 1992 four Colrain residents, Hale Johnson, Phil Sherburne, the late James Boulger and Brad Brigham came together in a last-minute effort to save the building form the wrecking ball.

The intent was to restore the building and make it available for public use as a multi-purpose, non-denominational facility and the Coleraine Land & Historic Building Preservation Society, Inc. (a 501c3 non-profit entity) was formed in 1993. The B.M.H represents the first project of the C.L.&H.B.PS.

A great deal of restoration work has been done over the past twelve years, but much remains to be done. The upstairs sanctuary, for instance, needs to be rebuilt, the brickwork needs re-pointing, anew bathroom needs to be constructed and all the wood from the roof down needs to be scraped and painted.

We thank everyone who has contributed over the years and urge others to help us continue our work maintaining this grand old edifice that stands so majestically in the center of our town. Contributions can be made to the C.L.&H.B.PS Inc, c/o Brad Bingham, treasurer, 58 Jacksonville Rd. Colrain, MA 01340. Phone 624 - 0190 or 624 - 3638.