New Beginnings United Methodist Church

The Townsend UMC and the Lawrence Memorial UMC of Pepperell churches have merged to become New Beginnings UMC located in Townsend, MA. We are working towards a new vision to serve our community. All are welcome to contribute their talents to help build a new church.

Building History

Compiled by Susan Gerken

This building was begun in 1770 and completed in 1771. It originally stood about a mile from it's current location off of Highland Street on Meeting House Hill Rd. The Meeting House was the Town Hall and used by the Congregationalists and then the Unitarian Society. During the Revolutionary War (1775-1783) fathers and sons practiced marching and signed their enlistment papers there. Later, during the Civil War (1861-1865), patriotic speeches were made there for young men to enlist.

In 1798 the town voted to "find the center of town and say where the Meeting House ought to be."The bell in the tower was installed in 1876. It weighs 2500 pounds and was bought for $837.60 plus transportation from Boston for $5.27; total $842.87. It was said "a bell truly of rare sweetness, and a volume of sound unsurpassed by any other in the valley."

In 1804, mid winter, this building was moved piecemeal by oxen to this site. It had porches, 3 entrances and only 1 floor, with side balconies or galleries.

In 1852 the Methodists bought the building and what is now the Townsend Common for $600.00 from the Unitarians. The deed is dated August 15, 1852 and 4 days later they voted to turn the building "quarter wise round" to face the south (it had faced west), remove the porches and the old fashioned square pews and install the floor to make it 2 sections. The town continued to use the 1st floor until 1894 when the present Town Hall was built.