Churches

First Church of Monson, Congregational, UCC (5 High Street)

The land just southwest of where the church now stands was procured in May f 1762 for the purpose of raising a meeting house. The building was built within a month's time with volunteer labor. It was quite plain with no chimneys, towers or steeples. It had no windows at first, just one wide front door. The pews were merely wooden planks. It appears that glass was not procured for the meeting house until June of 1766. During the time that this meeting house was being built, there was no separation of church and state, so both religious and town matters were conducted in this building. The townspeople governed the religious services and hired and paid the ministers. The church was not officially organized until June 23, 1762. The building soon became too small and was sold at public auction in October of 1803.

The second meeting house was dedicated on November 16, 1803. It was a fine example of church architecture of that period. Both the plans and construction were done by Monson builder Luther Carter. The first bell was presented by Deacon Abel Goodell in 1803 with the condition that it would be rung on his birthday each year. Deacon Goodell died six years after its installation. In 1830, the bell became cracked and was replaced in 1831. Extensive repairs were made on the meeting house in 1833, raising the floor eight feet, introducing modern pews, and adorning the walls. In the summer of 1871, this second meeting house was sold and removed to 74-76 Main Street across from the Soldier's Monument, where it was known as Green's Hall. Green's Hall contained stores on the first floor and a meeting room on the second floor. This building burned down on April 10, 1895.

The third building was the first to be used exclusively as a church. This was due to the act passed on March 15, 1833 by the United States which stated that church and state should be separate. The church was built near the original site and was erected by Monson builder Arba Squier. The auditorium, at the time of construction, was the largest in the area under one roof. The church was dedicated on June 18, 1873. In 1877, the church steeple fell, going through the roof into the main auditorium. It was rebuilt by Arba Squier. The church again lost its steeple during the hurricane in 1938. It was rebuilt by I.G. Roy and Sons and was dedicated on November 16, 1941. That steeple was lost during the tornado on June 1, 2011. It was replaced once again, this time using modern material.

When the first pipe organ was installed is unknown. The organ installed into the present church, at the time of its construction in 1873, was placed in the archway at the left of the pulpit. The second, a large Johnson & Son pipe organ was given by Mrs. Cyrus Holmes and Miss Esther R. Holmes in 1892. In 1952, it was decided that the organ needed to be renovated. The original Johnson & Sons pipes were retained, the organ was electrified, a large blower was installed, and a new console was added. The dedication service was held on May 10, 1953. The organ is listed on the National Register.

Monson-Glendale United Methodist Church (162 Main Street)

Methodism was introduced to Monson in 1825 by Rev. Joel W. McKee, of the New England conference, then stationed on the Brookfield circuit. He formed a class of twenty members, with Horace Moulton as leader. This was in November 1825 and was the beginning of organized Methodism in Monson. Before this, in the summer of 1825, Horace Moulton and his two roommates from Monson Academy held prayer meetings in north Monson and south Monson.

nThe first chapel was erected in 1826 in the southern part of town on the corner of Main and Maple Streets. It was dedicated free from debt, and was used for 25 years, after which it was converted into a residential dwelling and remains so to this day.

In 1850, the core of the present church was erected. In 1860, the building was moved back from Main Street and 20 feet was added to the front, on top of which was built the steeple. The work was completed in March of 1861. The tall spire that topped the belfry and entry was damaged in the 1938 hurricane and had to be removed in 1952. Replacement of the steeple occurred in 2009-2010. Even so, the church now stands as a typical New England white wooden church in the center of town.

St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church (22 Green Street)

The first mass in Monson was offered on September 8, 1850, in a large storage building near the Branch Mill. Services were held occasionally until St. Patrick's Church was built in 1863 and dedicated in April 1864. The church was built of Monson granite quarried from the Flynt Granite Company and was styled in the Gothic form of architecture. The windows were of cathedral glass and the pews were of ash, trimmed with black walnut. The choir loft contained a large Hammon organ. In 1900, the work of tranformation began. By December 1911, the existing wooden spire was replaced with the current granite tower. Munich windows were added and a Carrara marble altar was placed in the Sanctuary. All were beautiful works of art. On August 6, 1928, a fire started near or in the organ and quickly burned the entire ceiling and roof. Ten months later, repairs were completed and a statelu and beautiful edifice welcomed parishioners. Close to and north of the church is the rectory that was erected in 1888.

Unitarian Universalist Church (177 Main Street)

Seeds of Universalism had been sown in Monson prior to 1800 by itinerant preachers, but it was not until 1876 that Sunday afternoon meetings were held in Green's Hall at 74-76 Main Street. By 1882, services were held in the Central Block hall. Six years later, Dwight W. Ellis offered to contribute to a church building fund, a sum equal to what might be raised by public subscription. In that manner, $26,000 was raised. The church was built of Monson granite at the corner of Lincoln and Main Streets. The plans for the building were drawn by M.M. Francis of Fitchburg, the W.N. Flynt Granit Co. did the stone work, and P.B. Johnson did the wood work. The slating was done by A.H. Ryan of Holyoke. The cathedral windows were put in by Wolfe Brothers of New York. The organ, a two-bank instrument, was built and put in by S.S. Hammel of Cambridge. It has a very attractive auditorium with beautiful windows facing Main Street, and Sunday School Rooms. A Kitchen and dining hall are located on the second floor. Dedication services were held on December 3, 1889. Many years later, an additional wing area was added to the rear of the building to accommodate additional Sunday School rooms. When the steeple was destroyed by the tornado on June 1, 2011, the small parish successfully rebuilt it using like material retaining its original design.

Silver Street Chapel (224 Silver Street)

This chapel was built on land given by the Warriner family while the lumber was contributed by the Freitag, Reimers, Thayer and Amidon families. The building was built by the local Silver Street community. This area of town received its name due to the mill owners that, for the most part, paid their taxes to the town in silver instead of goods. Ths church was dedicated in June 1898. Its original purpose was to be a place for residents to attend church services without having to make the five-mile journey to town. Sunday afternoon services were conducted here by the Monson Congregational Church and pastors from neighboring communities. It is now owned by the Silver Street Society.

Monson Historical Society, Inc.​

Churches

Monson Historical Society, Inc.