200 Years of Tradition

​As part of a great legacy of over 200 years of church history in the town of Hinesburg, The United Church of Hinesburg has seen three denominations join together to form one body of worship. For a full timeline, you can read more about our history on our Pastors Blog.

- Then -

Congregational Church 
​Established 1789

​The Congregational Church in Hinesburg was organized May 20, 1789 with 11 members, the first church in Chittenden County.  It was not until 1810 that a church building was started on the site of the present Masonic Lodge on Route 116.  A brick church replaced the original meeting house in 1840 and the materials from the first structure were used to construct a chapel (now the vestry building).  At its high point in 1860, the Congregational Church had 132 members.

Methodist Church 
​Established 1799

​The Methodist Church in Hinesburg was formed in 1799 with 11 members.  The Methodist Church was originally built on the land that is now Memorial Park, also on Route 116. At its high point in 1861 the Methodist Church had 118 members.

Baptist Church
​Established 1810

​The Baptist Church started in Hinesburg in May of 1810 with 18 members.  The building in which we currently worship was erected in 1826. At its high point in 1860 the Baptist Church had 75 members.

Three Denominations Merge 
​1919

​As new railroads bypassed Hinesburg, and grist and textile mills closed, the population declined steadily during the last half of the 19th  century. By 1910, the population of the town was half the number in 1860.  All three churches struggled keep their doors open.

The three churches began to meet together in 1915 and in 1919, these three churches officially merged, “in view of the desirability of having one strong Protestant church in Hinesburg which shall serve the entire community and shall consider all Protestants as part of its parish” (words taken from the original contract).

Early on, the congregation worshiped at the Methodist Church located on the land that is now Memorial Park. The church burned down in the 1930’s. Since then,  the congregation has worshiped in the original Baptist Church building.

---

- Now -

Church Remodel 
​1960's and early 70's 

The Sanctuary was remodeled with new stained glass windows, designed and installed by Guido Nincheri during the long pastorate of Rev. James Osborne in the 1960’s. During that time, the Parish Hall was also built. In subsequent decades, the Parish House would see the addition of a kitchen and classrooms.
​

Open and Affirming Churches 
​2011

​In 2007, the church went through the process of becoming an Open and Affirming church in the United Church of Christ, a Reconciling Church in the United Methodist denomination and a Welcoming and Affirming Church in the American Baptist Church. These designations reflected the congregation’s desire to welcome all people into the full life of the church without discrimination. 

Environmental Stewardship
​​2016

Guided by an energy audit, we have insulated our three buildings, switched to energy efficient appliances, updated windows and installed two solar trackers in 2016. ​

We have chosen to make small and large changes — installing solar panels, keeping bees, using cloth napkins and table cloths during coffee hour, and reducing power use.

---

Hinesburg Youth Project
​​​2016

In 2016, the United Church of Hinesburg began the Hinesburg Youth Project, a program aimed at providing young people from Hinesburg, Vermont with experiences in service and social justice issues through summer trips. To date, over fifty middle and high school youth have explored important social and environmental concerns while offering service in New York City, Boston, Puerto Rico, and Western Massachusetts. in 2019, trips to Orland, Maine and Ipswich, Massachusetts will explore issues related to rural poverty and mobility. 

---