Last Update: 11/25/2006
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Bennington, VT 05201
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The Old First Church (Congregational) was gathered in 1762, the first Protestant
church in Vermont. Much of the early history of Bennington and of Vermont took place in
and around the original Meeting House, built in 1763, and the present church, dedicated in
1806. As a result, the Vermont Legislature, in 1935, designated the church as
"Vermont's Colonial Shrine". Standing today much as it did during its dedication in 1806, the church is one of the most beautiful examples of early colonial architecture. The cemetery adjacent to the church contains the graves of many of the citizens who contributed so much to the founding of Bennington and Vermont. It also contains the graves of Robert Frost and approximately 75 Revolutionary War patriots as well as British and Hessian soldiers killed in the Battle of Bennington. The site of Ethan Allen's home is on the border of the cemetery. The Old First Church greets people as they enter Bennington from the west on Route 9. |
Visitors are welcome to the church service at 11:00 a.m. every Sunday.