The Union Meeting House in Stockbridge, Vermont was constructed in 1827 and is 
presently included on the National Register of Historical Places by the United States 
Department of the Interior.  This Historic building is located at the head of the town 
common where the earliest inhabitants of Stockbridge first settled.

A Union Church Society was organized by the Congregational Society in Pittsfield 
(neighboring town to Stockbridge) in 1812; in 1827 a separation was effected, and the 
Rev. Gilman Vose held the pastorate from 1829 to 1831.  The increasing population in the 
vicinity brought a need for a local meeting house.  In March 1828, Keyes himself leased 
for $10.00 by indenture to the "Union Meeting House Society in Stockbridge" a small piece 
of land in front of his former house (then owned by Dr. Timothy Fay, who witnessed the 
indenture).  The document refers to "a certain piece of land lying on the north end of 
the Common so-called in said Stockbridge being the same which stands a new meeting house 
belonging to (the) society..."  The society was formed in 1827 after Stockbridge residents 
withdrew from the earlier union society in the adjoining township of Pittsfield.
 
The reference to the "new meeting house" appears to confirm the date of its construction.
Other sources, however, give the date as 1836.  The vernacular Greek Revival style of the 
present Union Church strongly indicates the latter date, if not a later renovation during 
which the paneled corner pilasters, eaves entablature, gable pediment may have been added 
to the building.
 
The intent of the indenture document was "to convey so much [land] as shall accommodate 
the said society in getting to and from the house and on which they may build a suitable 
number of horse sheds for the convenience of the society while attending meetings at the 
house..."  The elongated one-story, gable-roofed horse sheds were constructed in 1837, 
oriented diagonally to the south side of the church.
 
By 1876, the church had apparently fallen into disrepair.  Several meetings were held 
during the spring of that year to consider the repair or replacement of the building.  
The decision was made to repair, and the work was performed during the latter half of the 
same year; the slips (pews) were sold to raise the necessary funds.  Following the 
completion of the repairs, the church was rededicated in February, 1877.  Three religious 
denominations - the Congregationalists-Universalists-and Methodists- then held interests 
in the church, and a director was elected to represent each society in the management of 
the church's affairs. Enos Chandler was chosen director of the Congregational Society but 
he was succeeded in 1878 by Harvey Morgan.  James Baker was then director of the
Universalists, and James Bent of the Methodists.  Also in 1876, the "Ladies Union Aid 
Society " was organized; the group would outlive the individual denominations and become 
the owner of the church during the twentieth century.
 
More repairs were made to the church in 1899.  The Ladie's Aid Society took the initiative 
for the work, which included painting of both the exterior and the interior, repair of the 
shutters, and replacement of the front steps.  Nevertheless, the church  continued to 
contract in membership and activity.  Regular services apparently ceased after the death 
in 1905 of Rev. Thomas Swan Hubbard, a Congregationalist who had served many years as 
pastor (resided in the Keyes House, and had been Stockbridge School superintendent as early 
as 1860).

An " Old Home Celebration" held during the summer became the principal event of the year, 
attracting both current and former Stockbridge residents.  The Ladie's Aid Society assumed 
responsibility for the church building, having electricity installed in 1921.  Two years 
later, the Society formally became "the custodian of the Union church and its affairs".
 
Usage of the church dwindled to the point that it was closed during the winter months.  
Summer services were conducted by ministers of the three denominations from nearby towns 
or elsewhere.  In 1941, the building was repaired and painted again.  Since then, the 
Ladie's Aid Society has continued to maintain the church although services are limited 
to occasional weddings, funerals, or other special events such as Christmas carol singing 
around an outside lighted tree, and gift giving to all the small children in Stockbridge.

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Architecture of the Stockbridge Meeting House



The Stockbridge Meeting House remains remarkably intact and has statewide significance 
as a surviving representative of both the architectural styles and historic trends in 
Vermont. The Stockbridge Union Meeting House, located at the head of the Common, is a 
beautiful example of vernacular Greek Revival architecture in Vermont. 

Vernacular architecture is the practice of design and construction based on regional forms 
and materials, unique to the state and or the region.  The Meeting House building is a 
simple, straightforward example of this type of architecture.  Some character defining 
features of the style include its temple front with closed pediment, rectangular form, 
gable roof, and symmetry.  Also significant are the stylized wooden trim elements such 
as wide entablature at the top of the roof, cornice returns of the rear gable, pilasters 
or engaged columns with capitals at the corner boards, projecting hood molding at the doors 
and windows, 6-panel doors, and 7 nine-over-nine wooden sash windows.  Although very 
sparsely trimmed even for Vermont standards, the assembly of built-up flat boards on the 
Union Meeting House is a clear reference to high-style Greek Revival architecture.

Presenting its temple front to the Common, the one-story, three-by-three bay, gable-roofed 
Union Church of rectangular plan  displays the basic elements of vernacular Greek Revival 
style.  The main (east) gable facade possesses twin entrances placed in the side bays.  
Each single-leaf door with six raised panels is enframed by a stepped-out plain surround 
below a molded cornice cap. the doors are approached by individual two-riser concrete 
platform steps; these steps replaced the previous plank platform with end steps that 
spanned nearly the entire facade.  The central bay is occupied by a nine-over nine sash 
with plain surround below  a simple entablature; the upper half of the window is shielded 
by a louvered wood shutter while the shutters for the lower half are left open.  The 
horizontal eaves entablature returns across this facade to enclose the pediment with a 
blind clapboard tympanum.
 
The matching side (north and south) eaves facades are lighted three regularly spaced bays 
of windows identical to that on the main facade.  Each group of windows identical to that 
on the west end of each facade, reflecting the interior position of the auditorium; the 
entrance vestibule lacks windows on these facades.  The rear (west) facade contrasts by 
being blank, and possesses only short horizontal returns of the eaves entablature.  An 
exterior brick chimney bisects this facade, culminating in a corbeled cap.

The interior of the Meeting House exhibits the same simple, unadorned quality as the 
exterior.  The interior finishes are quite simple, wooden trim, wooden floors and 
plastered walls, defined by seven tall windows.  The interior space has changed very 
little since the late nineteenth century. The interior of the church is partitioned into 
a shallow entrance vestibule with a low ceiling and the auditorium occupying most of the 
interior space.  Three doorways lead from the vestibule into the auditorium; a double-leaf, 
four-panel doors are aligned with the central longitudinal aisle of the auditorium and 
flanked by single-leaf doors corresponding in position to the exterior doors.  Free standing 
wood pews occupy the main floor. The wood window and door openings are crowned by cornice 
caps.  Suspended from the center of the ceiling, an elaborate six-lamp metal chandelier 
of Victorian style has been adapted from oil to electricity. 

The building has survived virtually unaltered for nearly 200 years and buildings with this 
degree of integrity are becoming more and more rare in Vermont. 
 
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Early Members


Names of members taken from the 1st.& last page of the Stockbridge Ladies Aid Record Book 
dated 1912--1960:
 
Mrs. Mary Chandler                            Mrs. Lizzie Whitcomb
J. F Chandler                                 Miss Eva Chandler
Mrs. G. B. Fish                               Harris Holland
Edwin N. Whitcomb                             Mrs. A. L. Morse
Ella Amsden                                   Reverent R. Haseltine--1914
Mrs. Haseltine                                Mrs. Nellie LeBarr
Mrs. Herbert S. Dean                          Mrs. Nellie M. Costigan
Harrison J. Costigan                          F. F Kezer
Reverent Percival Hewitt--1919                Mrs. P. Hewitt
Mrs. Charles Grant                            Minnie Leonard Morgan--1915
Mrs. Jessie Butterfield--1916                 W. E. Butterfield
Bernice H. Putnam Ordway                      M. Faith Holland Whitcomb--1919
Reverent Maybelle Whitney--1921               Mrs. Clyde Hunt
G. A. Clough                                  George T. Mills
Wm. Leonard                                   Ruth A. Putnam Ainsworth
Ernest Ordway--1923                           Henry R. Wilcox
Mrs. Gaius Blackmer                           Mrs. Hugh A. White
Reverent Hugh White--1925                     Mrs. Julia Patno--1916
Mrs. Bertha L. Barrows--1915                  Minnie Leonard
Ruth Leonard                                  G. H. Martin
Mrs. Jessie Butterfield                       W. E. Butterfield
Adeline W. Green                              Pearl W. Green
Mrs. Julia Patno                              G. B. Fish
Sarah T. Maynard                              James Mussy
Lenna Mussy                                   Mrs. Hulda Woodruff
Mrs. William Johnston                         Mrs. Henerietta Katham
Mrs. Albert Lary                              Mrs. J. F. Chandler
Miss Eva Chandler                             Mrs. L. U. LaFrana
Mrs. Blanche Mills                            Mrs. Charles Grant
Bernice H. Putnam                             May Spurr
M. Faith Holland                              Flora Race
C. A. Pinkham                                 Mrs C. A. Pinkham
Mrs. E. A. Packard                            Mrs. Frank Forsha
E. E. Ordway   --1923                         H. R. Wilcox
E. C. Whitcomb                                Mrs. George Aubey
Reverant Harry Jenness-1923                   Mrs. Harry Jenness
Minnie R. Sweet                               Henry P. Sweet
F.R. Ainsworth                                Stella J. Bent
Ada Mills                                     Mrs. R. H. Holland
Mrs. J. V. Dutton                             Mrs. Mendall ( Ruth) Blackmer
Mendell W. Blackmer                           John V. Dutton
Iris Holland                                  Angie R. Barrows
Rita V. Brown                                 Maude L. Mills
Mabel W. Holmes                               Mrs. Diana Maxham
Mrs. Ralph Maynard                            Fred S. Bowen----1931
Bertha I Bowen                                Annettie Boutwell
H. S. Longley                                 Mrs. G. H. Coffin
Mrs. R. H. Blodgett                           N. Robert H. Blodgett
Mr. G. H. Coffin                              Mrs. Alfred Chandler
Miss Myrtle Mussey                            Mrs. Roy Pratt
Mrs. A. Scambler                              Reverant A. H. Scambler--1931-1932-1933
Mrs. J. E. Wilson                                 
Mrs. Fred Farrington                          Mrs. Ralph Bird
Mrs. Fred Perron                              Mrs. Ted (Marie) Green
Mrs. Eva Ascheuberg                           Mrs. Rix Williams
Mrs. Garold A. Rhodes                         Mrs. Fitzgerald
Reverant Fitzgerald--1931                     Mrs. Clayton Mills, Jr.
Mrs. Henrietta White                          Mrs. Doris Olmstead
Mrs. Mary Pultz                               Mrs. Leonard Mills
Mrs. John Stevens                             Marion Whitcomb
Shirley Blackmer                              Ramona Blackmer
Mr. G. H. Blackmer                            Mrs. Winona Blackmer
Eunice Mills                                  Mildred Hunt
Charlotte Goddard                             Mrs. Jacob Omland
Maude Fish                                    Queenie Ida Temple
Evelyn Folsom                                 Barbara Green--1960
Robin Wright                                  May Nichols
Betty Brown Smith                             Roger Smith
Marion ( Mrs. Victor) Whitcomb                Chris Martell
Margaret Mills    



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Ladies Aid Society


The Ladies Aid Society of the Union Church Society was formed in 1876; The following is 
taken from the Ladies Aid Book #1 at its creation:
                            
                                                 Constitution
Article 1st.
    This society shall be called the Ladies Union aid Society.  Its object is social, moral 
    and intellectual improvement and enjoyment of all old and young.
 
2nd:
    It shall have President and Vise-President who shall preside over the affairs of the 
    Society.  The Vise-President acting in the absence of the former.
 
3rd:
    It shall have a Secretary who shall keep the records of the Society, collect the funds 
    and pay them into the Treasury and keep a record of the same.
 
4th:
    There shall be a Treasurer who shall receive and disburse the funds as the voice of the 
    Society may direct.
 
5th:
    The funds of the Society shall be used to promote the interests of the Sabbath School 
    and the religious instruction in such ways as the Society may think the cause demands.
 
6th:
    The Society shall meet once in two weeks as it shall be appointed from one meeting to 
    another and at every meeting each person present is required to pay the sum of three 
    cents into the hands of the Secretary for the benefit of the Society.
 
An Amendment made August 27, 1878.
    No person shall be considered a member of this Society or be allowed to vote at any 
    of its meetings without first having paid 25 cents and signing their names to the 
    Constitution and By Laws after which the same amount shall be paid yearly to 
    "enshure" them a membership. And no member shall be allowed to vote until the 
    meeting following the one at which they joined the Society.
 
Seven members shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of transacting business.
 
By-Laws:
1st:
    Such methods for mental and moral improvement shall be introduced as shall be 
    acceptable to a majority of the members.
 
2nd:
    Any amusements are admissible that do not conflict with the moral sense or good taste 
    of any of the members and such as may be offensive are at all times prohibited.
 
3rd:
    There are to be no attempts at display or emulation in dress or otherwise we are to 
    shut our eyes to each others failings, forgive each others faults and overlook or 
    forget all mistakes we are to cherish toward all the largest charity and the 
    greatest goodwill.
 
4th:
    The suppers shall be plain and furnished by each family what may be required for the 
    members representing the same.
 
5th:
    Exercises to close invariably at half past 10 o'clock P.M.
 
The members at this time were:Mrs. M. Cook, Henrietta Collins, C.A. Ballard,W.E. Copeland, 
Mary L. Richardson,H. D. Morgan, Julia Whitcomb, S. A. Copeland, Susan Everett, 
Jennie L. Pierce, Joel Blackmer, E. P. Baker, Sumner Hodgkins, T. A. Wheeler, Mary 
Hodgkins, E. D. Morgan, Willie Chamberlain, M. R. Tupper, Stella Hodgkins, R. H. Tupper, 
W. H. Durkee, H. L. Durkee, H. W. Blackmer.
 
The first Ladies Aid Meeting:
 
    Stockbridge Vt., Feb. 21st. 1876
The Ladies of Stockbridge Common met to organize a Society at the C. S. Carroll house. 
Chose Mrs. Baker Chairman and Mrs. J. Whitcomb Secretary for the eve. Chose Mrs. 
Romain Sawyer President, Mrs. Mary Richardson Vice President, Mrs. Julia Whitcomb 
Secretary.  Mrs. Augtusta Carroll Treasurer.  Voted to meet at Mrs. James Bakers next 
Friday afternoon and Eve.             
                                                             Julia L. Whitcomb, Sec.
 
The Ladies Aid Members today in 2005 still pay the sum of 25 cents to belong to the 
Society.  Though the dues have not increased the cost of the maintenance of the House 
certainly has gotten greater.  Check out our 2005 Restoration Project section.

                                   LADIES AID MEMBERS TO 1912

 The following names were entered in the preface of a"new" Stockbridge Ladies Aid Society 
 record book dated 1912 by May Holland. This book contains the monthly minutes of the 
 Society with similar problems and solutions that we still today share in the preservation 
 of the Stockbridge Meeting House.   
 
                                         OLDEST MEMBERS
 
Mrs. Mary F. Hubbard -   dead                         Mrs. Henrietta Collins-dead
Mr. W. E. Copeland       d                            Mrs. S. A. Copeland    
Mrs. E. D. Morgan        d                            Mr. H. D. Morgan            d
Miss Jennie Pierce                                    Mrs. E. P. Baker            d
Mrs. L. A. Wheeler                                    Mr. R. H. Tupper            d
Mrs. M. R. Tupper         d                           Mrs. H. L. Durkee           d
Mr. W. H. Durkee          d                           Mr. H. W. Blackmer          d
Mrs. M. Cook              d                           Mrs. C. M Ballard         
Miss Susan Everett        d                           Mr. Sumner Hodgkins         d
Mrs. Mary Hodgkins        d                           Miss Stella Hodgkins    
Mrs. Ellen Everett        d                           Mr. C. S. Carroll           d
Mrs. Rosa E. Wilcox       d                           Mrs. Maria Holland          d
Mrs. Olive Smith          d                           Mrs. Esther E. Burnham      d
Mrs. Abbie L. Durkee      d                           Mrs. Julia L. Whitcomb      d
Mrs. Mary L. Richardson Putnam  d                     Mrs. Nora E. Larnard        d
Mrs. Augusta S. Carroll   d                           Mrs. Idella F. Hubbard    
Mr. Frank Boutwell                                    Mr. Harry Holland          
Mr. E. S. Burnham         d                           Miss V. L. Chamberlain  
Mrs. Mary A. Savage       d                           Mrs. Mary L. Packard       d
Mrs. Mary C. Packard      d                           Miss Alice M. Sheldon   
Mrs. Harriet Durkee       d                           Mrs. Sarah Blackmer        d
Mrs. C. L. Chamberlain    "                           Mr. Joel Blackmer          d
Mrs. J. M. Chamberlain    d                           Mrs. Ada B. Leonard     
Miss. Anna A. Whitcomb    d                           Mrs. Lucy A. Gilman     
Miss Alice Blackmer Smith                             Mrs. Genie O. Twitchell    dead
Mrs, May Holland                                      Mrs. Minnie Mills
Mr. Lucian Blackmer       d                           Mrs. Alice M. Holland
Mrs. F. Sawyer            d                           Mrs. Abbie Colby         d  1-29-1896
Mrs. Effie Holland            2-12-1896               Mr. Julius Blackmer         5-27-1896
Mrs. Ida M. Packard       d  10-6-1896                Mrs. E. Sheldon          d 10-20-1897
Mrs. Dora Clark           d  10-20-1897               Mrs. Sumner French       d 11-3- 1897
Mrs. Lorilla Baker        d  12-29-1897               Mrs. Harriet Grant       d  3-19-1898
Miss Flora Baker          d  10-19-1898               Mrs. Bertha Jackson d       3-14-1900
Mrs. Lydia Cady           d   9-11- 1901              Mrs. Ransom Durkee  d       9-11-1901
Miss Lizzie Burditt           9-11-1901               Mrs. Ruby Hunt Blackmer   d
Mr. A. E. Baker           d                           Mr. A. W. Chamberlain     d      1904
Mrs. C. H. Durkee             6-15-1904               Miss V. M. Mack Martin     11-15-1904
Mr. Geo. A. Stott                                     Mrs. Effie M. Allen       dead
Mr. W, Calvin Green       d   2-21-1904               Mrs. Lula M. Baker          6-27-1906
Mrs. F. E. Barnes             6-26-1907               Miss Bessie A. Barnes       6-26-1907
Miss Bessie E. Sawyer Hunt d  8-7-1907                Miss Josie Mills             8-7-1907
Mrs. Ed. Norton               3-11-1911
 
Note:  "d" indicated person dead in 1912 and the date indicates the date of becoming a 
member in the Ladies Aid.
 


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Mona's Vision for the Meeting House

For many years, until her death in 2000, Ramona Blackmer was a staunch caretaker of, and 
advocate for,
 the Stockbridge Meeting House. 
In 1986 she wrote the following, to rally the community to preserve this important landmark.

Now, 20 years later, her gauntlet has been taken up. 


   On March 16, 1876, a small group of men joined together to "determine the feasability of 
building, or repairing a meeting house or to furnish some suitable place to hold meetings."

It was voted that each man present at that meeting, should "act as a committee of one 
to talk to his neighbors and gain their minds in regards to building new, or repairing a 
meeting house or building a hall."

How ironic that in 1986 our footsteps have brought us full circle to determine these 
same answers to questions that sound very familiar to our present situation.

Our journey through time bears witness to many similar concerns and proposals made 
by our forefathers 100 years ago.

It fosters a deep need for us in 1986 to carry on a steadfast commitment instituted 
for the purpose of serving our loved ones through years past and through many more 
years to come.

The Stockbridge Meeting House was built in 1828. Fifty-two years later, on February 21, 1876,
the Stockbridge Ladies Union Aid Society was formed.  "The ladies of Stockbridge Common met 
at the home of Mrs. C. S. Carroll to organize a society.  Mrs. Sawyer was elected President, 
Mary Richardson, Vice-President, and Mrs. Joseph Smith was elected to arrange the 
Constitution and By-Laws."

Through the years the ladies have found many diverse ways to earn money to support the 
church. Box socials, quilt raffles, ice-cream socials, oyster suppers, apron sales, 
chicken pie suppers, and lawn parties to name a few.  They responded to the same problems 
that have be-set each generation. In October, 1896, the church roof was leaking. 
"Joel Blackmer will see that needed repairs are made. The Ladies Aid to furnish funds for 
it, providing the men of this community lack sufficient "gimp" to do it."

The preceding excerpts and quotations were taken from the Ladies Union Aid Society 
Secretaries time-worn books and records.

These sturdy veterans have presented a fine example for us. Now, let us pick up the gauntlet.

As we bend to the problems before us, let us remember well the spirit of hope and promise 
that live and dwell within these precious walls.

Let us re-dedicate ourselves to upholding this spirit of love and hope in a positive and 
progressive manner………

                                                    written by  Ramona Blackmer -1986

 
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Restoration of the Stockbridge Meeting House



The Stockbridge Union Meeting House has not been used as either a church or a meeting 
place on a regular basis; other than an occasional wedding, funeral or a town function, 
the dignified old building has stood idle, and in increasing disrepair.

There have been many starts and stops to the actual business of organizing a complete 
renovation of the Meeting House; one important reason of course was the lack of funds. 
Therefore over the last 20 + years only the simplest and most necessary repairs were done. 

In 2001 a meeting was held at the Meeting House and a small group began planning to restore 
the building to once again serve as a center to the community.  Aided by a grant from the 
Preservation Trust of Vermont, a restoration specialist inspected the building and a report 
was prepared as to work necessary and its costs.

In 2003 the Stockbridge Ladies Aid had a meeting at the new Town Office and it was decided 
that they were going to do it this time!  An antique auction was planned for July 24,2004 
on the Common in front of the Meeting House; monies realized from this endeavor amounted 
to about $6,500.00.  This was the beginning!

A committee of four was formed to "carry the ball" to raise more money and find a 
contractor willing to do the work. The McKernon Group,Inc. consented to work with us and 
they have been a guiding hand to the huge task of restoring this important building.  
The McKernon Group Inc. has been responsible for renovations and restorations of many 
historic properties in Brandon, Rochester and Stockbridge, Vermont and built the new 
Stockbridge Town Office in 2003. 

Grants were written and well received by the JGA Foundation in New Jersey and two of the 
local banks; Christmas cards, note cards and antiques sold at town fairs, and donations 
given us by several very generous Stockbridge residents added to the total, and soon we 
had more funds. 

With the addition of these funds the building could be pulled off its rubble foundation 
and  in October 2005 a new foundation was built.  The building was pulled back over what 
is now a large community room that is handicap accessible. 

On March 8, 2006 a standing seam roof, black in color is replacing the rusty metal one.  
In front of the building concrete supports have been poured in preparation for the 
construction of the new front entrance that will replicate the original ones shown in the 
earliest photo of the building.  It will span the width of the building with two steps 
up on three sides. 

The next phase will be the painting of the exterior after minor repairs to the bottom 
boards where the old steps caused damage from water set back.  The clapboards are in 
excellent shape as are the windows, sills and casings. With scraping, primer and two 
coats of paint, the exterior walls will be completed. 

Because we must now meet State Safety Codes we have to incorporate handicap ramps and 
additional exits. A door will be added at the back of the auditorium for fire safety, 
a staircase in the front vestibule leading downstairs to the community room, an outside 
door (metal for fire) leading into the community room on the ground level accessed by a 
handicap walkway.

The interior walls come next; the plan is to remove the old cracked horsehair plaster, 
insulate, replace old electric wiring and put up wallboard with a thin coat of plaster 
to duplicate the old walls.

There is more to do, but we are confident that with the generosity of the Foundation and 
the individual donations received and those yet to come we will be able to accomplish our 
satisfying and rewarding job.  We hope to have saved this building for another 179 years 
for the future generations of Stockbridge.

 
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Photos of the Stockbridge Meeting House





Older photos of the Meeting House on the Common

Photos of the Restoration 2005-2006

 
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Copyright 2002 by Ann Mensch and Barb Vellturo.  All Rights Reserved.