Old First Church Jul 14, 2014
The morning sun trickles through tall trees to dance upon the Old First Church in Bennington.
My friend and local Bennington resident Tony Marro gave me a little tour around town.
The church and adjacent cemetery have quite a history.
Vermont has been home to an incredible cast of characters.
Past and present.
Order a Print
My generous tour guide passed along these interesting Old First Church facts. Thanks very much Tony!
The church, by the way, was modeled after the “wedding cake” steeples of the London churches of Christopher Wren. The cemetery includes the graves of five Vermont governors; many Hessians (actually Brundswickers, but they were called Hessians) killed at the Battle of Bennington; Robert Frost,whose grave boasts of “A lover’s quarrel with the world”; one of the few bodies recovered from the sinking of the Titanic; the first minister of the Old First Church (Jedediah Dewey) and a soldier who survived the Revolutionary War only to then be kicked to death by his horse. The Titanic victim had been in Britain buying sheep for a wealthy local farmer, who had rewarded him by having him sail back on the Titanic. There also are people buried there who died in the Mexican and Civil Wars.
What a lovely picture of the Bennington Church; so calming and peaceful
Thanks David!
Looks like a coof & comfortable Vermont morning. It’s going to be 104 in Reno today. Thanks!
Indeed it was Brian, keep cool out there!
Brings back so many wonderful memories of arriving over the years (50 plus) in Bennington from n.j.. Thanks
Thank you Ruth!
I love the paintings of the churches of Vermont,they are one of the things I love about Vermont!
Thanks Olivia, me too!
Traveling from Southern New Jersey and through New York to get to Vermont, I eventually end up on Route 9 heading east into Vermont. I don’t feel like I have arrived in Vermont until Route 9 runs me straight into the Old First Church, the road turns left directly in front of the church and suddenly you are facing the Bennington Monument. What a beautiful “Welcome to Vermont”!
That would have been a good name for the painting too Randy, thanks!
This is such a fine example of the beautiful Congregational meeting houses in New England.
It is quite like the Cong. Ch. of Dunbarton, NH where my family has worshipped for over 200 years.
Thanks Michael!
I love the lighting, and the shadows on the church walls
Thank you Deanie. I had fun with that!
Wow! Thanks for sharing! What a history! I’ll check the cemetery out next time I’m in Bennington.
I recently saw a PBS special re: how Christopher Wren built St. Paul’s church in London. (Or was it Peter’s?)
My guide Tony was a walking history book. Thanks Betsy!
So elegant with a peaceful beauty so like Vermont. I was just sitting here & wondering how many Vermont churches have you painted, Peter?
You know I have done a few Mary Fran…must be more than 25. Churches are like people, each with an interesting shape and individual personality. I love architecture and they always seem to nab my attention. The “community” and spiritual aspects also have meaning for me.
A beautiful VT day and a wonderful rendering.
Thanks Sue!