East Saugus United Methodist Church

Did you know that the East Saugus United Methodist Church has a history spanning over three and a half centuries? Our journey begins not here, but on the town green. Around 1640, a humble log church stood there. It was the eighteenth church built in Massachusetts. This was the ancestor of the East Saugus United Methodist Church, a testament to faith’s endurance. Fast forward to 1723, a new meeting house was built on this very spot. The congregation followed Congregational polity. However, the winds of change blew through Salisbury with the arrival of Methodist circuit riders. Among them were Jesse Lee and Francis Asbury. In 1811, the first Methodist Society in Salisbury was born. A chapel was built on Lafayette Road. A powerful revival swept through the community in 1833 under Reverend John Brodhead. The Congregationalists of the East Parish Meeting House made a momentous decision. They voted to unite with the Methodists and form a single congregation. The old meeting house was demolished. The present East Saugus United Methodist Church was built in 1834. Since then, Methodists have led the congregation within these walls. From Queen Anne’s pewter communion set to the grand communion table, the church held treasures. These pieces now reside in museums. The Essex Institute in Salem and the Atheneum in Hartford hold these pieces of history. In 1897, a town clock was installed in the steeple. It was a gift from John T. Brown to memorialize his wife. In 1918, a new pipe organ filled the sanctuary with music thanks to Mrs. Florence Pettengill. It has since been moved to the east side extension. The church continued to evolve. In 1962, the basement was built and furnished. Later, the house across the street, once Mrs. Pettengill’s, was purchased for church school classes. Now, it serves the community as the Pettengill House. The East Saugus United Methodist Church is more than just a building. It’s a living testament to the enduring power of faith. It stands as a pillar of the community. It has witnessed over 375 years of history. It continues to serve the people of Saugus today.