Record Group Number 36

Records of the Westmoreland Congregational Society, 1764-1944

These records, consisting of three bound, hand-written books, were deposited with the Historical Society in July 1984 by the Westmoreland Congregational Society of Park Hill Church, Inc., as a "permanent loan", with the understanding that these records will be returned to the Congregational Society, if (a) the Historical Society decides that it has no further use for them, or (b) the Historical Society is dissolved.

The following statement accompanied the records:

Book No. 1 - Records, 1764-1844

The book as bound begins with the ordination of the Rev. Allen Pratt in 1790, but earlier records, starting at 1764, have been taped into the front. (N.B. - various sorts of tape, including Scotch tape, have been used to repair and attach these early records, which are badly in need of conservation.)

This volume contains minutes of annual meetings (but not for every year), baptisms, admissions, marriages, and deaths. The Confession of Faith and Covenant (as of 1790) are set out. Records having to do with the reorganization of the Church in 1827 and 1828 have been sewn up and taped into the back of the volume, but the order of these pages appears incorrect.

Book No. 2 - Records, 1841-1871

These records include minutes of meetings, baptisms, admissions, etc., but all in chronological order, rather than in lists. A list, however, of the membership of the church from 1860 onward appears at the back of the book.

Book No. 3 - Records, 1855-1944

This volume begins with by-laws adopted in 1855, followed by a list of members beginning in that year. The remainder of the volume is devoted to copies of the notices and minutes of annual meetings, punctuated by occasional financial reports.

Photographs of ministers are pasted to the front and back end papers, together with papers concerning the installation of the Rev. Mr. Gooch (1914).