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In the beginning...
In 1833, after a long and bitter struggle, the separation of church and state became recognized by law in Massachusetts
through a constitutional amendment. Among the Dissenters, as those religious groups outside of the Puritan church in England
were called, were the Baptists, who played a key role in the passage of the 1833 amendment. Following its enactment, the number
of Baptist churches grew steadily, and in 1846, they were already established in Chelmsford, Groton, Harvard, Littleton and
Bolton.
In the summer of 1846, Horace Richardson from Keene, NH, a graduate of Dartmouth College and the Newton
Theological School, came to Acton to visit his cousin, Eri Huggins, an ardent Baptist. Rev. Richardson was interested in forming
a church. Previously, there had been occassional meetings held at Mr. Huggins' home where students from Newton preached.
Rev. Richardson found the outlook promising and lost no time in calling a meeting.
Next inscribed in the records
are 16 Articles of Faith, the Church Covenant and a list of the members consisting of "eight males and fifteen females".
In September 1846 the land for the church was purchased for $170 and construction began. In December, a committee of five
had been chosen to price the seats in the new meetinghouse, completion of which probably helped cover most of the building
cost.
On January 19, 1847, the building, constructed by Jabez Walcott for the sum of $2350. was solemnly dedicated.
Then on April 1, 1847 the deacons voted to have the building insured and to apply to the legislature to be incorporated as
the Baptist Church of West Acton.
In 1848 the congregation and church were called together to dedicate the first
church bell which cost about $230.
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