The Brick Church at Clarendon and the White Church- Grafton, Vermont

The Brick Church at Clarendon and the White Church- Grafton, Vermont

History has shown us that the churches of the country were part of the important growth of a community.  In Grafton the Brick Church has such history to share with those that want to take a stroll through what it took to build a new church in the era of 1833.

In those days the church screened each family wishing to join the church to see if they were worthy of attending. Each person, while being considered was required to state his ‘religious experience and views of the doctrines of the gospel” and to assent to the confession of the church. The members were expected to be model citizens and attend church regularly.  If they didn’t then charges were brought against them and the accused was required to make a public confession and promise to reform.  If they didn’t abide by the rules then expulsion from the church and its activities were also possible. 

The church continued to serve as a full time church until 1924 when they no longer had a full time pastor.  At that time the church had to be closed except for when there were special events held there.  In 1935 Mrs. Gratz Powers suggested that the church be reopened during the summer.

As a result each year since a student from Yale spends 10 weeks or more at Clarendon leading the Sunday services, organizing programs for young people and joining community leaders in carrying on the traditions established long ago.

The church is now part of the Federated Church of Grafton and shares the duties of a church for services with the White Church, sharing a pastor.  They welcome anyone that wants to come and see the church, hear about what is going on and perhaps look into the history of the church and how it influenced the development of the area.

Location: 298 Middle Road
North Clarendon, VT 05759

Directions: From The North
Take US-7 S.
Continue to follow signs for US-7 S.
US-7 and US-4 join together in Rutland.
After they separate (by the Diamond Run Mall) you will go about 4.4 miles then turn RIGHT onto MIDDLE RD.
Follow MIDDLE RD. for about .2 miles and the church will be on your right across from Town Hall. 
 
From The South in Massachusetts
Take US-7 N towards VT.
Continue to follow signs for US-7 in VT.
After about 61.7 miles turn LEFT onto MIDDLE RD. 
Follow MIDDLE RD. for about .2 miles and the church will be on your right across from Town Hall. 

From The East in New Hampshire
Take I-89 N toward LEBANON / WHITE RIVER JCT VT (Crossing into VT).
Take the US-4 exit- EXIT 1- toward WOODSTOCK / RUTLAND.
Turn LEFT onto US-4 / WOODSTOCK RD.
Continue to follow US-4 W.
Turn LEFT onto MAIN ST N / US-4 W / US-7 S. Continue to follow US-7 S. (stay in far left lane to turn)
After about 6.7 miles turn RIGHT onto MIDDLE RD.
Follow MIDDLE RD. for about .2 miles and the church will be on your right across from Town Hall.
 
From The West in From New York
Take US-4 towards Vermont  (After crossing into VT, from NY, you will drive about 25.2 miles) 
Take the off ramp RIGHT onto S MAIN ST / US-7 S. 
After about 4.4 miles turn RIGHT onto MIDDLE RD.
Follow MIDDLE RD. for about .2 miles and the church will be on your right across from Town Hall.

The Grafton White Church was built in 1858.  The church was built by and for the Baptists in the area.  In those early ears both churches had services and each person attended their own church but in the 1920′s neither of the two factions were large enough or rich enough to have their own buildings so they formed the Federated Church of Grafton.  This way the two chruces could operate with one minister.  He would hold services for six months of the year in one church and then the other six months in the other.  Today the White Church is used in the winter and the Brich Church, since is has no central heating system, is used in the summer.

The White Church is located across the street from The Brick Church.  You are welcome to visit both.