History:

1796 the residents of early Monterey decided to move the Town Center, originally in the area of the Adonijah Bidwell House, to a more southerly position at the junction of Beartown and Carrington-Batelle Roads. There was an active subscription to build the new church, and by 1827 membership had grown to 164 persons.

In 1825 one Barnabus Bidwell bought property at the Second Center, and three years later became an active member of the congregation.

As the settlement prospered and grew, it became apparent that a third move was warranted, to a location further south with better roads and the advantage of water courses. A subscription was taken up in 1842, at which time Barnabus Bidwell pledged $25 for two shares. "The South Tyringham Meeting House Society" was established in 1846, and by 1849 the church was in use, at the location and in the building we know today.

Barnabus had also looked southward; he had purchased two parcels in 1847 and an additional 13 acres in 1873. When he sold his property in 1880, it was described as "being about 100 rods southeast of the Meeting House." It is what we now know as the Wilson/McLaughlin property on New Marlborough Road. The map of 1858 lists the property as "B. Bidwell, Rev. W. H. Phelps." Rev. Phelps was the second minister of the South Church 18534-61. Stylistic characteristics and other references suggest that about 1850 the house was moved to its present location from the Second Center. Our later map of 1876 specifies the owner as "B. Bidwell."