Norwich. Center Methodist Episcopal Church. [CH-CT N6 C4]
The organization started in 1852, with the Society being established in 1854, first meeting at Central Wharf, and later at the site of the old Main Street Congregational Church, where a new building was erected in 1859. The church was officially "Center Methodist Episcopal Society", but variously known as Bethel (Central Wharf, 1854), West Main Street (1855-1858), the Free Methodist Church (1858-1868), and Central or Center (1868-1895). The church merged in 1895 with Sachem Street and East Main Street to form Trinity, using the Central Church building. The Center M.E. Society Trustees continued to meet until at least 1907 to resolve property issues. The church building burned in 1959, shortly after a merger with Norwich Town (First) but before the new Lee Memorial church building could be constructed.
  • Box 1.
    • 1 v. 1859-1897.
      Baptisms: 1881-1896.
      Membership: 1859-1896.
      Probationers: 1879-1897.
      Pastors' records: 1880-1890.
      Class records.
  • Box 2.
    • 1v. 1852-1907.
      Trustees records for the Centre Church, Norwich. March 12, 1853 to March 5, 1907.
    • 1v. 1848-1867.
      Day book of Charles Hopkins, 1848-1849 (p. 1-15).
      Financial ledger for Centre M.E. Church, for repairs, 1867 (p. 16-19).
      List of names/members?,(p. 22-23).
    • 1v. 1854-1866.
      Collections at Bethel, 1854; West Main, 1855-1858.
      Missionary Collections, 1855.
      Collections at West Main, 1858.
      Presiding Elder's account, 1855-1860.
      Accounts of West Main Street, 1858-1860.
      Accounts of M.E. Free Church, 1860.
      Various accounts, 1854-1866.
      Subscription list for Bethel Church, Central Wharf, 1854.
    • 1v. 1853-1884.
      Financial ledger, 1853-1884 (p. 2-103).
      Slips (pews) Rented, 1869-1853 (p. 110-143). (From back of book forward.)
      Poor Fund collections (p. 144).
    • 1v. 1900-1907.
      Financial ledger, 1900-1907.
    • Envelope of documents.
      • 1854, March 7. Agreement to form Center Methodist Episcopal Society, signed by nine incorporators.
      • 1854, March 7. Letter to Jer. Holsey, Justice of the Peace, to call a meeting to select officers and authorize purchase of property.
      • 1854, March 20. Two letters from Wm. P. Greene to Nehemiah Upham.
      • 1854, April 10. Handwritten deed from George F. and Caroline T. Birchard to Center M.E.Society for property next to land of D. N. Bentley (purchased from the Birchards in 1824) in the amount of $50.
      • 1854, April 22. On demand note from Nehemiah Upham to Center M.E. Society in the amount of $100 for property of D. N. Bentley.
      • 1854, April 22. Quit Claim Deed from David N. Bentley to Centre M.E. Society for property, in the amount of $100.
      • 1856, November 3. Letter from N. Upham, Clerk, "per order of the Committee", to Mr. C. W. Slater, regarding his appropriation of church property for his own use, and asking that he stop such use, specifically to "forbid your crossing to or from your land over the lands of said society."
      • 1860, July 5. Warranty deed from Maxson P. Lewis to Center M.E. Society for property on Williams Street, in the amount of $2000.
      • 1860, July 5. On demand note from Norwich Savings Society in the amount of $2000.
      • 1869, September. Note from meeting of the Ecclesiastical Soceity of the Center M.E.Church authorizing Treasurer Charles W. Hopkins to take a loan of $1400 on behalf of the society, a mortgage on the church and parsonage, to pay for repairs and outstanding debts.
      • 1869, September 2. Notice from George Perkins, Justice of the Peace, Norwich, certifying administration of oath for Society Clerk to Charles W. Hopkins.
      • 1869, October 30. On demand note from Norwich Savings Society to Center M.E.Society in th amount of $1400. Stamped "Paid June 20, 1884."
      • 1884, June 3. Warranty deed from Charles P. Cogswell to Center M.E. Society for property on Williams Street, in the amount of $800.
      • 1884, June 18. On demand note from Norwich Savings Society in the amount of $4000. Stamped "Paid Sep. 15, 1903."
      • 1884, June 19. Quit Claim deed from Norwich Savings Society to Center M.E.Society for property mortaged in 1854, 1860, and 1869.
      • 1884. Plan of land sold by C. P. Cogswell to Center M.E.Society, by Chas. E. Chandler, Surveyor and Civil Engineer.
      • 1891, September 19. Warranty deed from Isaac C. Swan to Trustees of Central M.E.C. for property at 28 Pearl Street, in the amount of $3750.
      • 1892, January 3. Mortgage deed no. 6965 to Norwich Savings Society for Pearl Street property, in the amount of $625.
      • 1892, December 31. On demand note from Norwich Savings Society for $625. Stamped "Paid Feb. 9, 1897."
      • 1896, April. Summons to answer civil action from Edwin S. Barrows, regarding sale of property on Sachem Street, designated by deed to be used for the worship of God.
      • 1896, April 28. Notice of meeting of Centre M.E. Society on May 5 to consider deed from Thames National Bank on deed dated March 23, 1854.
      • 1902, September 5. Letter from Wallace S. Allis, attorney, to Leslie W. Hopkins, regarding legal complications of the sale of property designated solely for the worship of God.
      • 1903, September 11. On demand note from Norwich Savings Society to the Center M.E.Society for $3500.
      • 1903, September 14. Warranty deed from Ansel A. Beckwith to Center M.E.Society for property on W. Thames Street, in the amount of $1.
      • 1903, September 14. Quit Claim deed from Norwich Savings Society to Center M.E. Society for property on Williams Street, in the amount of $1.
      • 1903, September 14. Mortgage Deed from Norwich Savings Society to Center M.E. Society for property on Thames Street in the amount of $3500. Attached typed notice "Released Nov. 10th, for $1,400. Paid. 1905."

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February 19, 2003