Before the current stone building was erected in 1915-16,
parishioners of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church were served by this handsome
building, which stood just about on the present church's site.
This edifice was erected in 1841-42, and was the third building used for an
Episcopal church here. The first, built about 1740 just south (left) of this site, was later used by
patriots to store supplies during the Revolution and, as a result, was partly
burned by the British in 1777. In 1785, work on a new church was begun near the
above site.
"The small parish experienced considerable difficulty in collecting
funds for the building of a new church, for the recent war had caused many
hardships," wrote historian Silvio A. Bedini. "Accordingly, produce and
goods were accepted in lieu of money, including shingles and boards to be used
in the construction of the church. The church was not furnished until 1791. In
1794, the building of a pulpit was commissioned, and in 1799, the remainder of
the pews were added."
The growing size of the congregation sparked the building of the third
church, pictured above, and later the fourth church, which still stands.
The view is interesting in that it shows the old rectory just
beyond the church. During much of
the 19th Century, this had been the home of Keeler Dauchy, a pillar of the
church, having been clerk and senior warden for many years. When he died in
1886, the church decided it would be wise to buy his home for a rectory. The
building served this purpose until 1914, when it was moved to Catoonah Street,
opposite the firehouse, where it now holds shops and offices. Stories say that
expert house mover Caro H. Northrop used only one mule to haul the building to its new
location.
This postcard is dated 1910 and was probably published a year or two before
that by Albertype for Ridgefield pharmacist H.D. Smith. The view looks northwest
from about in front of today's Community Center.
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