| Main Street and
Clinton Avenue
Having
purchased land at the corner of Main Street and Clinton Avenue, the officers
of Third Church were faced with the need for a better place to worship
than School #4. On Monday, January 29, 1827, prodded by the minister, Joel
Parker, it was decided that a meeting place should be built. Josiah Bissell
said that it could be done in a week. Some doubted. Bissell said, "It is
not impossible. If we could make a thousand dollars by building a storehouse
for flour this week, we would do it; and it's a pity we cannot do as much
for our Master as we should for ourselves." Further objections being made,
Bissell replied, "Put me on the committee, and it shall be done. We will
worship in the church next Sunday."
That
very hour he bagan to make contact. A master mechanic was hired; with his
men trees were felled and a frame laid out and erected. Another set of
men put on the siding and roof the moment the frame was up, others went
to work with the doors and windows, and others prepared the benches and
pulpit. Then Bissell offered a bonus to each one to complete his task ahead
of time.
This
was done and the meeting house, 30' by 60', was in use on Sunday. Bissell
was a practical man, for the house was built of two units with separate
frames which were easily separated. Afterward they were detached and converted
into two small dwellings which stood until the beginning of the last century
and are shown in our historical display.
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