(text by permission of Bev Farnum, Washington, VT historian:)
The Post and beam frame of this church rests on massive granite slabs. One story plus attic and steeple. Built in the Greek Revival style, this structure retains the exterior appearance of a typical Greek Revival Church, with a classically detailed entrance, corner pilasters, fully articulated entabulature and pediment. Originally this church had two entrances one for the women and the other for the men. This was changed when the interior was remodeled, in 1898-1899. The interior was complexly remolded with funds donated by Quincy Calef. Matchboard paneling was used throughout the interior, including the sacristy chamber walls and ceiling( which arches toward the center). The light afforded by the numerous stained glass windows that were donated for the church from the 1894-1898 gives the sacristy a golden hue.
The church still has many of its original features today including ornate oil lamps, a wood stove, a Packard pump organ, dumb waiter and matching stained-glass windows
The maker of the stained glass is a mystery. The origin of the windows is not in doubt; an inscription dedicating the windows as a gift from the Calef family is dated 1898. The larger of the two windows, known as the “big window” features a cross encircled by a crown, was repaired years ago by Icarus Studios, stained glass experts from Rochester VT . They said that they were made by skilled and talented craftsman. The angel window has a cherub like angel. Of note in the window is he quality of the glass, some of which is maroon or cranberry colored, an expensive process that involves the use of gold.
A long time legion claims that Miss Olive Calef ghost has presented herself to several people in a form of a mist. Miss. Calef was the organist and niece of the founding member. Ira Chamberlain Calef head of a wealthy local family from Washington State who built himself a home that would in time become the Unitarian Universalist Church. Located in the central part of the village of Washington, the church was organized 1836. John E. Palmer was the first pastor. In Apr 15th 1843 a meeting was held to take measures to raise money for the support of preaching for the year to come. The officers were Moderator I. E. Worthley, Clerk A. L. Watson, Committee Elisha Smith, Caleb Emory, Elijah Taylor, Agent A.L. Watson.
The next record is Jan 5, 1848 when a meeting was called to see about building a church and at this meeting it was voted to build a church and be finished before Jan 18th ? and be denominated a Universalist Meeting House. Their first house of worship, the present frame building, was erected in 1848, at the cost of $2,600.00 about its present value (at writing). It will comfortably seat 300 persons.
On the 29th of January 1848 at 6:00pm at the office of H.A. White in Washington, a meeting was called to order by BW Bartholomew. The first committee formed was in 1848 included the following, B. W. Bartholomew, I. E. Worthley, Orin Butler, Ralph Pope (or Pape) Benjamin Thurber and clerk H. A. White. The church was first dedicated under the Rev Eli Ballou. Also in 1848 the first bell was given by B. W. Bartholomew, who was a prominent member and active worker.
The first record of the parish organized was in 1849, being know as the “North Washington Society of Universalists.” The rules and regulation for membership are recorded in black ink in a small book and also in the large book of records.
The first funeral of the church was that of Isaac Barron In 1848 the first bell was given by B. W. Bartholomew a active member. The bell was broken while being tolled on the death of Thaddeus White, the first representative for the town of Washington On Apr 14th 1857 a new bell was placed in the belfry bought with subscription obtained by Rev. Mark Powers and only 4 names were not of the faith. Each paid $1.00, Apr 1857.
Oct 11,1876 the ladies interested in the University Society met with John P. Huntington and organize3d to benefit the church Pres Mrs. Daniel Emory, Vic Pres. Mrs. N.A. Taylor, Sec Mrs. E. J. Powers. The Young People ( Y.P.C.U.) was organized Mar 1894 On July 25th 1896 the church was organized and 1st member baptized. On June 26th 1898 the last service in Old Church 80 people were present.
The rededication was Oct 1898. This was taken from the church records.”Great care and generosity from Ira C. Calef and Miss Lucie A. Calef.” “Many gifts of 7 windows pulpit furniture, table, communion service… Of the seven windows that were donated in 1898, their messages are permanently inscribed on the glass. What they have in common, and who they were is partly a mystery.
Builders of the parsonage 1903 for the sum of $1,850.00 excluding the site was built. Rev G. Van. Blarcow and family were the first occupants on Oct 14th 1903 Of the cost of the parsonage $1,450 was contributed by Mr. Ira C. Calef, the remainder by the church members.
In Oct 1908 the church building was needing shingles Mr. Ira C. Calef gave the shingles, work was all done by members of the society or friends. the following year the church and the parsonage was both repainted Mr. Ira C. Calef donated the paint and paid for the work. the worker left before the job was done and so J. F. Calef and D. E. Worthley Mr. Bohonan, George Huntington and the pastor Rev Irving Towsley finished the weather vane and spire. A special note in the belfry indicates that the last restoring was done in the church was done in June 1877 prior to this date of 1908.
In the spring of 1912 six maple trees were planted about the church and parsonage by John F. Calef, Dan E. Worthley and assisted by Rev Towsley. Only three in front were left in the fall of 1915.
Here is the full text from Bev Farnum, including information on the windows and more pictures.
Here is a page with more information on Unitarian Universalist history in general.
Here is the site of the Unitarian Universalist History and Heritage Society.
Here is the site of the Unitarian Universalist Women’s Heritage Society.
