The Federated Church of East Arlington: A Short History

Sanctuary 1890

The Federated Church of East Arlington has its roots in two historic denominations, the Methodist and the Congregational Church (now United Church of Christ). Today, we are first and foremost a church of Jesus Christ, providing a church home for people of many different denominational backgrounds.

On November 2, 1843, the first service of “The Sunderland and East Arlington Congregational Society” was held in a school house on the site where the Maynard Grout house now stands, and services continued there until 1848 when the present church was dedicated.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in 1859 in the building on the corner across the street, and on April 14, 1946, members of both churches voted to federate. Joint services had begun in the Methodist Building in 1944, and for several years were held there during the winter, resuming in the Congregational church building for the remainder of the year. This required the work of strong men to move the organ each time! Now all worship services are held in the Congregational church, while the former Methodist building can be used for church school and special meetings of the community.

Bailey Hall was dedicated June 12, 1918. In 1963 ground was broken for an addition to this building, connecting it to the church. Later the kitchen was enlarged, and in 1982 the Memorial Room upstairs was finished and furnished for committee meetings and other functions. On October 28, 1984, the Memorial Spire was dedicated, the original steeple having been lost in a windstorm in December 1876.

In 2011, the Methodist Parsonage was razed after a long and difficult process of decision-making on what to do with a very needy, but “beloved” structure. The Methodist Parsonage had served our congregation well over the years as it housed our Ministers, served as rental properties, as Christian Education space, and another period of rental properties. Before the razing, a salvage company salvaged what it could. Our Arlington Fire Department then burned it while using it as part of their training.

Today, the area where the Parsonage set has been graded and seeded. What is to happen to this in the future is yet to be decided.