Below is an excerpt from Rupert Vermont, A History discussing the origins of Church Of Christ, West Rupert Vermont – a.k.a. The Disciples’ Church
THE DISCIPLES’ CHURCH.
THE beginning of this church has been alluded to in the sketch of the Baptist Church, being in the same ,;nage and on the same street. ” The Disciples of Christ, meeting weekly in Rupert, were organized on Lord’s Day, the 24th of December, 1837. Having received the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as revelations from God, and as the only sure guide in religious matters. and the New Testament of Jesus Christ as containing the Christian religion, did mutually Aglee to be governed by its precepts as it was given by the Apostles. without addition or diminution. And thus giving themsel,·es to the Lord and to one another, made choice of Charles J. White, the first Bishop oC the 00ng1egation, to preside at their meetings and to teach in word and doctrine and administer ordiD&Dces, and Isaac Sheldon, Deacon, who were both ordained by prayer and laying on of bands. Elder W. P. Reynolds preeeat by reqwt.” From Semi-Centennial ~l,urcl, History.
History Of The Disciples Of Christ. West Rupert, Vt. By W. L. Hayden. The original members were as follows S: Charles J. White, Catharine White, Isaac Sheldon, Rebecca Sheldon, Roswell Flower, Sr., Clarissa Flower, Jesse Shaw, Ruth Shaw, Jonathan Hastings, Roswell Flower, Jr., Emily F. Sherman an4 Mrs. Bininger. In the month of February, 1838, the following \·ere added: Grandison Sherman, Joseph Flower, James Sheldon, Warner Hopkins, Timothy S. Flower, Betsy \Veed, Isaac Sherman, and Eliza Wooster Lewis. And later, during this year: S. M. Sherman, Julia Sherman, Thomas K. Beebe, Rufus Conant, Gardner Rogers and Emeline B. \’.”ilson. During the first twenty years the church was largely ministered to by Bishops of the congregation. In some other denominations they would be called local preachers. In this list belong Charles J. White, Grandison Sherman, James T. Bates, Thomas Laing, and E.T. \Vood. Dr. C. J. White was born in Waterford, N. Y., in 1803, graduated at the Castleton Medical College at the age of twenty-two, and entered upon the practice of medicine at Hebron, where he continued to reside until his death, in 1869. He was a capable and successful physician. He was reared in the belief of the Presbyterian Church, in which he was prominent, holding an official position when the preaching of Alexander Campbell turned his religious thoughts into a new channel. He was the prime mover in the founding of this church. Dr. White was of manly form and dignified bearing, possessing great ability in certain directions. Grandison Shc:nnan wa.’l born in Sandgate, where he pursued the avocation of a farmer until 1869, when he removed to the town of Salem. His sons, Marcus and Rollin, were in the Union army, Marcus dying in the service. His daughteT Anna married Rev. W. L. Hayden. Mr. Sherman was a man of singularly quiet and gentle manners. His wife, Emily Flower, was a sister of Mrs. James Sheldon. He continued to reside in Salem until his removal to Danbury, Ct., in 1869. He died in Washington, Pa., in 1886. James T. Bates was bo1n (4) Ruper/, Ver111011I. in England ab’>ut 1788, coming to this country when a child. His father settled in that section of Pawlet called Rush Hollow. Mr. Bates was engaged in mercantile pursuits all of his active life, having at different times stores at both the upper and lower streets. The latter years of his life were as a traveling merchant or peddlar. He \”as an earnest, almost eccentric personality, and not readily forgotten. He owned the house (now the residence of }lrs. Ann Hopkins) which ‘\”as the second place of meeting of this church. Mr. Bates was unmarried and died at the home of William Steams, in 1872. Thomas Laing “·as a resident of Hebron, where he was a prosperous farmer for many years. He held a position in the church at \Vest Pawlet, like the one in this church. He died in 1882, aged 74-. E. T. Wood was born in Salem, Mass., in 1815. Settled in Troy in early manhood and became a member of the first Disciples’ Church in that city. Removed to Pawlet. and was the preacher of the Disciples worshiping there. He came to reside in Rupert in 1857. which was his residence until his death in 189:J. He preached at various times and occasions in many of the churches of eastern New York. He was a man of fer,·ent con,·ictions and most exemplary life. Of those, other than the local speakers just described, who ministered to this church pre,ious to 1860, I find the following: Benjamin Howard, A. Thomas, Charles Levan, Josiah I. Lowell, )lyron J. Streator, and W. W. Clayton. Mr. Clayton was an able speaker; was prominent in the town lyceums and served as Superintendent of Schools. He afterward renounced Christianity. He was known a fe\· years ago u the author of a history of Iowa. 1856-tto was the period of hiN pastorate. 1 H61-67, W. L. Hayden, a native of Ohio, and graduate of Williams College; an able and fluent speaker. Married Anna, daughter of Grandison Sherman; to Danbury, Ct., from here; later to Washington, J>a. Next, J. H. Gordinier who remained nearly thn:e years, leaving on account of aickneaa. Was Superintendent of Schools. Living and in Churcl, History. 59 the ministry. Levi Osborne, the winter of 70-71. 1871-7′ 4-, B. H. Hayden, a cousin of W. L. Mr. Hayden has traveled in Europe and Asia; held pastorates in several places. notably Worcester, Mass. Now in Chicago. Of late a public lecturer. 1874–78, George Lobinzier. One of, perhaps the ablest pastor in the history of the church. A lawyer, his calm, lucid reasoning was in marked contrast ‘\ith much that comes from the pulpit. Mr. Lobingier went from here to Nebraska, where he now resides. Next, J. N. Wilson, from Michigan, two years; W.W. \Vitmer, from Indiana, two years; J. W. Robbins, one year; W.W. Witmer, twoyears: S. Mott, one year; E. D. Barclay, one year; G. F. Smart, two years; W. R. Motley, two years; W. H. C. Newington, three years. Mr. Newington served as School Director and Superintendent . • T. C. Picton from Pennsylvania, is the present pastor. Those who have served as elders, not heretofore mentioned:
Elisha Hawley, Lyman Farrar, Elijah Hibbard, Elihu Flower. The first place of meeting was the old brick school house; next the old white house owned by James T. Bates, which, remodled, was afterward the residence of L. D. Hopkins. The Brick house, the only home this church ever had, was erected in 184-1 by a society composed of members and friendly outsiders. . This dual ownership was the cause of contention, which came near
wrecking the church, and was not finally disposed of until 1880. In that year the church edifice was modernized and fitted up, substantially as at present. It was reopened on the church anniversary, Dec. 24, the dedicatory sermon being preached by a Mr. Anderson. The present membership is about 200. Roswell Flower, the last oT the original members, died at his home in Humboldt Co., Iowa, May 19, 1898, aged 89. James A. Garfield, while a student in Williams College, preached several times for this church, about 1866. The first parsonage was about 1866, being the houe now the residence of Henry H. Hadaway. The present parsonage stands one lot nearer the church, and wu erected in 1886.
