History Of St.Stephen's Church

Prior to the Civil War there were only a few families in Pittsfield who professed the Episcopal faith. Prominent among them was the family of Daniel Sanderson, who moved to this community in 1835. Their son James Augustus, who was born in Lowell, Massachusetts on May 20, 1834, attended the Pittsfield public school and finally Dartmouth College where he was graduated with the class of 1859. He then attended Andover Theological Seminary and a year later entered Berkeley Divinity School in Middleton, Connecticut and became associated with the Diocese of Connecticut.

In 1862 after his ordination Rev. Mr. Sanderson returned to Pittsfield to visit relatives and friends. While in the community, he was invited by several Episcopal gentlemen to hold a Prayer Book service for their benefit and to preach. He consent, and a numerous congregation assembled on Sunday, October 12, 1862 in the Congregational Meeting House on Main Street for the first Episcopal service in Pittsfield. The minds of the people were solemnly impressed, and they said, "We would hear thee again of this matter." Arrangements were accordingly made and an attentive congregation gathered from time to time in Washington Hall, a public room of the old Washington House for services.

The Masonic Hall on Main Street was rented for regular services from December 27, 1862 until the present building was occupied

Address

P. O. Box 435
Pittsfield, NH 03263