THE MEETING HOUSE

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Meeting House Location

655 Old Turnpike Road (Route 4)  Salisbury, NH 03268

Prior to 1790- “For a time the society held meetings in private houses, and in an old school-house, which it appears they had bought of the town.”

1790- The congregation votes to build the Meeting House.

By 1794-“The house was erected within the specified time, and stood on the south-west side of the road, at the Center Village just north of the location of the present house, the main entrance being on the east side. On each end was a porch, supporting small steeples, similar to the one still standing on the north end. In each of these porches was an entrance. In the north tower was a bell. The interior was like most of the churches at that time, box pews, a large pulpit on the West Side of the house, a gallery opposite and on the other two sides. An upper and lower set of windows furnished the light.”

1794– Construction was completed. 

1839– Extensive renovations took place.

“In 1839, Dea. William Parsons had the contract to remodel the church to its present general style. He moved it back, took down the back tower enlarged the north one, removed the facing galleries, changed the location of the pulpit, put in new pews and new windows, added blinds, painted, and made the specified repairs, for the sum of $1,100. He furnished all the lumber and had all the old or unused material. After this, Josiah Green purchased a large clock, which he put into the steeple to remain at his pleasure for the use of the society and the public.”

Source: “Historic Salisbury Houses” by Paul S. Shaw, M.D. 1995

Page: 157

1898– “In 1898 the interior of the church was renovated by the congregation. It was the last major work done on this building until the town had it painted prior to turning it over to the Historical Society”.

1920’s– “The Baptists ceased to hold regular meetings in the mid-twenties,  and the building became the property of the United Baptist Conference of the state.The building remained open for special occasions,including being the scene formany an Old Home Day oration.”

1938– The great New England Hurricane blew the steeple and weathervane off. 

1956– “In 1956 The United Conference deed the church to the town, which, within a year of the formation of the Salisbury Historical Society, turned the building over to the Society for $1.00.”

1966- “The Historical Society undertook extensive repairs. The old structure was jacked up and straightened, rewired, and repaired.

August 1970– An article in the Concord Monitor dated August 1, 1970 reports the recent completion of the Steeple. It also refers to the installation of a new organ similar to one that was originally in the Meeting House. 

Paul Shaw-The steeple, which had been blown off in the 1938 hurricane, was rebuilt as a gift of Mrs. Joseph Straight of Long Island, New York, a former summer resident. The old weathervane, which had been reconstructed, was replaced on the steeple, and the clock was made operational. The bulk of the repairs were the result of local fund-raising projects and work on the part of members and friends. More recently the clock was rebuilt and put back in working order thanks to a contribution from Dr. John Kepper.”

Source: Research by Rose Cravens 2024

Delving into the history of Salisbury, the initial orientation of the Meeting House can be perplexing, especially when compared to its current direction. Upon further investigation, a plausible explanation emerges. The Meeting House was originally constructed on the southwest side of the road, which remains its position today. However, the exact appearance of the central road prior to the construction of the 4th NH Turnpike around 1803 is uncertain. This road was an addition to the Old College Road, which also likely connected to this area, but that requires separate research. In 1890, Dearborn noted that the original location of the Meeting House was “just north” of where it stands now, with its main entrance facing east. Following its relocation in 1839, the north tower became the main entrance, although it does not face directly north but northeast instead. This change in orientation may have a straightforward explanation.

Between 1790 and 1794, the Meeting House was likely designed and constructed in alignment with the lot line, similar to the graveyard’s northern boundary. Consequently, all gravesites followed this alignment, suggesting that the towers were positioned at the building’s north and south ends, as indicated.

In 1839, following the establishment of the Fourth NH Turnpike and the subsequent increase in traffic, there were teams of horses and carriages traveling northeast and southwest along the Turnpike, stirring up dust.  The church’s north tower was positioned was close to the road and it is reasonable to assume that when it was “moved back”it was moved back from the road.

It is now at an unusual angle relative to the graveyard behind it which follows the northerly rock wall border line. The tombstones are aligned to the lot line. Notably, the lot line extends beneath portions of the neighboring residence’s driveway as it approaches the Turnpike.

When the building was moved in 1839, it was not specifically described as being rotated to its new location, but rather moved from a location “just north.” However, it was likely adjusted slightly to align with the current road, which would be a logical step. In addition the Town House now referred to as the Salisbury Town Hall was built at his time two doors down and both building are oriented the same way.

In 1898, a significant renovation took place, although it is not detailed. During that period, pressed tin panels were in vogue and it is safe to assume it was at this time of great popularity that it was installed over old plaster on the ceiling and part of the walls.  From a recent inspection of the space between the existing ceiling and the actual roof it seems clear that the  lower ceiling was always the design, first plaster then covered in tin. There is reason to believe from the observations that the arching of the ceiling, where the wall meets the ceilings, may be an origin feature.

The details provided by John Dearborn suggest that following the final renovation in 1898, the building remained unpainted until just before the town transferred it to the Society. This implies that from 1890 to 1956, the Meeting House may not have received any new paint. Concurrently, Salisbury’s population had sharply declined to merely a few hundred individuals.

The period from 1938 to 1966 suggests that the steeple, which is the uppermost part of the tower, may have been significantly damaged or nonexistent. Further investigation using old photographs is necessary to ascertain the extent of the damage.

In the initial period of Society ownership, the wallpaper likely was installed by members of the Historical Society.

As time passed, the Society expanded its overall collection and established additional displays in the Meeting House.

The Daniel Webster Room, located in the entrance room, is continually expanding its collection related to Daniel Webster with some fascinating new additions.

The Meeting House boasts excellent acoustics and has been the venue for musical performances and lectures. It is primarily used for our programs, meetings and displays. Additionally, it houses our Archives on the second level.

 

2014– A much needed extensive exterior painting project took place during which time old paint was removed on both the Meeting House and Hearse House (adjacent Museum). This was done according to environmental regulations and at great expense to the Society but was necessary. Maintenance was done as well to assure their preservation.

2021 August- Phase 1 extensive steeple repair work is done due to wood rot and weathering.

 

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