1623 - 1707

1620: The Pilgrims landed at Plymouth.

1621-22: Weston Company landed at Wessagusset; disbanded a year later.

1623: The first long-term Weymouth settlers arrive. There are 2 probable landing sites. One is Mill Cove, near Bert's Yard, off Norton St. in North Weymouth. The other is King Cove, off 3A at Fore River Bridge. These settlers begin the origins of First Church.

1623-24: The Rev. William Morrell. Hoped to establish a Church of England. He was a poet, an artist, and a clergy a member. He left Wessagusset for Plymouth in 1624, then went back to England.

1634-35: Rev. Barnard. More settlers came to Weymouth. Church would have been part of their lives, but there are no written records.

1635-36: Rev. Joseph Hull. Arrived with 100 settlers from Weymouth, England. He was a moderate, dissenting English clergy. He was not welcomed in Boston, but was allowed to settle at Wessagusset. He was instrumental in having the first meeting house built. It was a small building and not completed until 1645 or later.

1635-36: The Rev. Thomas Jenner. He was pastor when the first written history of the church was recorded.

1637-39: The Rev. Robert Leventhal. He came recently from England was known to many Weymouth people. He preached when circumstances permitted and had a large following.

1639-44: The Rev. Samuel Newman. A majority of the church moved to settle the Town of Rehoboth. Rev. Newman went with them, as they desired. He continued there as pastor until his death in 1663.

1644-64: The Rev. Thomas Thacher. First minister ordained in Weymouth. Congregational differences appear to have been resolved under his ministry. He served until his death in 1670 at the age of 75. He was considered the ablest minister of his time and was often called upon to preside over public occasions.

1664-1707: The Rev. Samuel Torrey. Ordained at First Church on Feb. 14, 1664. He continued to serve until his death in 1707. A bell was installed in 1667. In 1682, First Church was built on the present site.

1800 - 1899

1804: The church people voted to convert the "body seats into poews and to enlarge the singer seats and finish them in a decent maner." Also this year, Union Church was established in Weymouth Landing.

1815: A Sabbath school was established. It was attended by about 100 scholars and 10 teachers. By 1820, it was attended by about 150 pupils and 10 teachers. The first superintendent was Lemuel Humphrey.

1824: The Rev. Josiah Bent Jr., of Milton, a graduate of Harvard, was called to be pastor at a salary of $600 with firewood. He was ordained here and continued for 9 years. During his time of service, 164 people joined the church.

1826: A proposal was made "to the ladies of the North Parish of Weymouth to form themselves into an association to assist in the great and laudable purpose of missionary effort." This is the origin of the Ladies' Benevolent Society later founded.

1832: Church people voted to take down their meeting house. 43 in favor, 19 against.

1833: A unanimous call was given to the Rev. John C. Phillips, a graduate of Harvard and Andover Theological Seminary. He accepted a salary of $700, was ordained in December, and became "a great favorite." "There was widely expressed regret" when he resigned after 4 years for personal reasons. This had been the shortest ministry to date.

The current church building was put up. "We have purchased a building lot from Dea. John Bates for $200. The Meeting House will contain 76 pews on teh flower floor and 12 pews in the gallery. We have also procured a new bell."

This year the Ladies' Benevolent Society was named. The constitution from 1826 appears to have been kept as such with donations expected from all members annually.

1838: The Rev. Joshua Emery, a grauate of Andover Theological Seminary, accepted a call for the pastorate at a salary of $800 and was ordained within a month. He remained for 35 years, joining 183 members to the church. "He was an excellent minister as well as a valuable citizen," serving many years as chairman of Weymouth's school board.

In this same year, the parish built a new parsonage on the site of the old one. The ell where Abigail Adams was born was removed to Bicknell Square. Rev. Emery occupied the new parsonage.

1848-49: Two silver tankards of Sheffield plate were presented to the church by Mrs. Mary Bates and Mrs. Christiana Jones. A year later, Ms. Priscilla Blanchard presented a baptismal basin.

1852: A daughter church was formed in North Weymouth, named Pilgrim Church. 51 members left to join Pilgrim.

1856: In need of better accommodations, a chapel was erected and attached to the rear of the church.

1863: To celebrate his first 25 years of service to the church, a beautiful pitcher, goblet, and tray were presented to Rev. Emery as a testimonial of regard from his church and society.

1873: Rev. Emery retired, and the Rev. Franklin P. Chapin was installed. He came from a former pastorate in Amherst, MA, and served for 12 years. "He labored faithfully and won the respect and honor of the people."

1875: A fund of $10,000 was established by the will of Joseph Loud. The income was to be used "for supporting and maintaining the present religious doctrines of said Parish."

1885: The Rev. Frank H. Palmer became the acting pastor and was fully installed the following year.

1887: The old creed was revived and made a test for membership.

1891: The Rev. Robert R. Kendall was installed following the retirement of Rev. Palmer. He served for 9 years.