Our History

In 1741 Southampton was set off as the Second Precinct of Northampton, and the inhabitants moved at once to establish a church. On June 8, 1743, the Church was organized, and young Jonathan Judd installed as pastor. Jonathan Edwards, famous pastor of the mother church in Northampton, preached at this service. During Judd's pastorate of 60 years, the town grew from a tiny settlement, to a secure community of one thousand inhabitants. The present church building was erected in 1788, and is one of the oldest in the area still in constant use.

The early 1800's were years of great religious zeal. Under the guidance and inspiration of the second pastor, Vinson Gould, and his wife, thirty-seven young men entered the ministry from this church. The Women's Missionary Society, founded in 1803, is the oldest such society still in existence in our denomination. In promoting temperance and education, this church was an early leader.