A BRIEF HISTORY OF “THE BRICK CHURCH”

“The Brick Church” is the fifth meetinghouse of a congregation dating back to 1673. The Deerfield settlement was incorporated in that year, and the new town was ordered by the colonial legislature to settle a minister and establish a church. Its first minister was Samuel Mather, cousin of Boston’s famed Puritan leader, Cotton Mather.

By 1823, the older squarish “meetinghouses” were being replaced by a new “church” design with aisles running full length from the pulpit to the opposite end of the building. There was no single “architect” for the project, although Capt. Winthrop Clapp of Montague was the contractor. The Building Committee was inspired by the plans of Congregational churches in Blandford and Greenfield, both designed by Capt. Isaac Damon of Northampton. Dedication ceremonies of the completed church took place on December 22, 1824 and were overseen by the present gold-leaf weathercock, which had perched atop the previous meetinghouse since 1731.

Originally the high pulpit was nearly level with the balconies and was entered from the second floor vestibule. Possibly the builders followed the custom of having the pulpit face west to the “Call of the Last Trumpet.” This meant that in a building situated on the west side of the street, the pulpit had to be placed at the front of the church. In 1854 it was voted to lower the pulpit to its present height. It remains the highest pulpit in Franklin County. The pews were of the box type, which helped to reduce winter drafts in the unheated building.

The interior decor has seen several alterations over the years, reflecting the tastes of the times. In the past, the walls and ceiling have been whitewashed, papered, elaborately frescoed, and painted. Patterns have included trim on the wallpaper, bright stars on the ceiling, and a rising sun design in the pulpit recess. In 1940 the interior walls were painted a buff color with the pews remaining white. The appearance of the church has remained essentially unchanged until January 2000 when extensive restoration and decorating began to prepare for the installation of a new tracker organ in 2001, by Richards, Fowkes & Co. of Ooltewah, TN. Now one sees newly painted walls called “Deerfield Gray”; a domed ceiling with mesh fabric applied prior to painting; a new brass chandelier affording major improvement in lighting and designed and made by master craftsman, Steve Smithers of Ashfield; new red pew cushions and pulpit upholstery made by church member Bruno Lopez, professional upholsterer; carpeting removed in side aisles; restored old wide floor boards; and soon-to-be-completed new carpeting for the center aisle and stairs leading to the balconies.

The acoustic properties of the Brick Church meeting room make it an excellent venue for organ, vocal, and chamber music concerts. The church has been host for over twenty years to Music in Deerfield, which continues to attract music lovers to performances in this beautiful historic church.