The town of Scotland began as a parish within the town of Windham in 1732, incorporating as a separate town in 1857. As described in the 1889 History of Windham County:

The new society met to organize June 22d, 1732, at the house of Nathaniel Huntington. […] After settling some disputes as to the law in regard to electing officers, the society unanimously set to work to locate and build a meeting house. The site decided upon was ” a knoll, east side of Merrick’s brook, south side of the road from Windham to Canterbury.” Nathaniel Huntington, who owned the land, promptly made over a quarter of an acre for that purpose. June 25th, 1733, it was voted to build a house 43 by 33 feet and twenty feet high, the roof and sides to be, covered with chestnut sawed shingles and clapboards. The work went bravely forward and by November 20th a society meeting was held in the house. Then the windows were glazed, and rough board seats provided, as well as a ” conveniency for a minister to stand by to preach.” […]

[In 1772], it was voted to build a new meeting house, the vote calling out 98 “yeas” and 20 “nays.” It was agreed to give Mr. Elisha Lillie £750 for building the house. It was several years in course of construction. It was completed enough to be seated in December, 1778, and in the following May the work was formally accepted from the hands of Mr. Lillie, the contractor. The old building then being offered for sale at auction, brought seventeen pounds.

The third and current meeting house on the Scotland Green was built in 1842 and, again quoting from the History of Windham County, “A neat and convenient chapel was purchased and fitted up adjoining the church in 1867.” The Chapel had been built in 1842 and had been the Town Hall.

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Scotland Congregational Church (1842)
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2 thoughts on “Scotland Congregational Church (1842)

  • March 20, 2021 at 11:42 am
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    The tower clock in the church was installed in 1912 — at least that’s the date of manufacture on the clockworks. It was actually donated to the town, but placed in the church. It is not clear whether the congregation will continue and what the fate of the building or the clock will be.

  • May 13, 2022 at 8:04 pm
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    The church is still open for services every Sunday. The church has had an Interim Pastor since 2018, Kathryn Huntington. Although I, Kathryn, am not a licensed minister, I am a dedicated lay person and plan on serving the Scotland Congregational Church in any way I am able. At this time there are no plans to close the church and we welcome everyone.

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