Do you know some of the history of this church structure and the those who have occupied it? Please share by contacting Teri at tfitz_gerald@hotmail.com .
On March 6, 1878, Trustees James Barton and Rufus Hazard secured a deed of the property on Monkton Ridge on which the present church now stands. It was purchased from John and Rosalle Bushey. The meeting house was completed in the fall of 1878. By 1919 the church membership was large enough to afford a parsonage. James Wilder was the last Friends minister to occupy the pulpit in the Friends Meeting House (circa 1925.)
Methodism was introduced to the Monkton area in 1797 and in the early 1800's buildings were erected in Monkton Boro and East Monkton which were named as a two point charge with a pastor regularly appointed through 1937. In the 1940's when Dr. Charles W. Saum was paster in Hinesburg, he started a Vacation Bible School in Monkton. The community of faith began meeting actively at the Friends Meeting House and shared a minister with the Hinesburg charge. Currently the property remains under Quaker ownership and the congregation, consisting of people from many Christian backgrounds, is in the United Methodist Charge.
In 1953 several upgrades were made to the building, including a new ceiling, wall boards, and wiring. Soon after that, the basement was excavated for Sunday School rooms and a furnace. In 1967 a beautiful stained glass window, a memorial gift, was placed in the front of the sanctuary. An electric organ and chimes were added circa 1981.
Over the years the church has hosted many community groups including Boy Scouts, AA, playgroups, and exercise groups, as well as being available for family events such as weddings and reunions. Worship services are at 9:00 a.m. every Sunday, with the exception of August this summer when we move to the East Monkton Church at 9:00 a.m. Please contact our lay leader Ralph Fitz-Gerald at 453-4918 if you would like further information.