Wednesday, May 16th 6pm is the annual Berlin Historical Society potluck followed by the 7pm presentation to be held at the First Congregational Church. This year's presentation is on the history of the Berlin Congregational Church which was established in 1798. Sally Perrin Chartrand and her brother, David Perrin, will share some stories and history of the Berlin Church in the beginning including letters from Betsy Perrin Hobart the wife of the first minister in Berlin.

Please RSVP to 552-8804 or historicalsociety@berlinvt.org leaving your name, how many are attending and whether it will be for just the presentation or the potluck also.

A commemorative granite marker is at the site of the first Congregational Church that was at "Berlin Center". It burned in 1838. Here is more on that event from Berlin Historical Society's book "A Place To Pass Through: Berlin, Vermont 1820-1991" page 12

1838 Meetinghouse at Berlin Center Burned to Ground
February 26, 1838 was a tragic day for Berlin. The meetinghouse at the Center burned. Israel Dewey, the postmaster, described the scene in a letter written the following day:
Yesterday about 1 O'Clock, as I went out at the door to go to the barn, I happened to look in the direction of our great meetinghouse & behold! it was a heap of smoking ruins. I looked over to Rev. Hazen's & saw him & family looking at it. I said to him that I supposed it burnt down last night. He said No, for he noticed it standing not more than a half an hour before - & so it was. It probably took fire from a coal, or coals, of fire that fell from one of the stoves or from some foot stove, onto the floor the day before (Sunday) at the close of the meeting & continued burning on & through & under the floor & the inside of the house till the next day at noon when first discovered by Esq. Knapp & the school children. The glass began to fall all over the house nearly at the same time & in less than a half an hour was all level with the ground. Thus, we are providentially deprived of a meetinghouse to worship in, but, if we are heartily disposed to worship God, we shan't long be deprived of a place to do it.
Shortly, plans were drawn for a new Congregational Church at the Corner. Town meetings would no longer be held in a church. Rented halls would serve for some years until a more permanent place was found.

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