Most of our thirty-six charter members were formally members of the Hudson and South Lancaster churches. Due to the fact that we were becoming so crowded in the Hudson church that we almost had to sit on each other's laps, Dr. Leon Rittenhouse asked all those who would be interested in starting a church in Northboro, where he lived and had his practice, to meet at his house on Sunday to have a cookout and discuss the possibilities of it. So several came, and after discussing the pros and cons of what it would entail to begin such a venture, we began meeting in his house on Sabbath and for prayer meeting Wednesday nights. This did not continue very long, as we realized we needed larger quarters.
A committee was named to approach the minister of the Unitarian church to see if we could hire the Community Hall for Sabbath Services, which we did. So during 1963 we began holding our regular Sabbath Services in this hall. At the time, we were known as the Northboro Company, but on December 7, 1963 with Elder Kenneth Hutchins as our pastor, we were organized into the Northboro Seventh-Day Adventist Church, the 59th in the Southern New England Conference with Elder Merle Mills presiding. A nominating committee was named and officers elected. Elder Arthur E. Harms, Conference Treasurer and Elder Samuel Yahush, Conference Public Relations Secretary were also present.
In time, we decided that we wanted our own church building, so we started a building campaign. We elected a committee to look for land on which to build our church. After many leads, the Lord lead us to the property which the Northboro SDA church now stands. In a church board meeting on April 10, 1968, we voted as soon as possible to "Arise and Build". Dr. Simon Witter, a member of the Conference committee, presented our plans to them and with their approval we began to build.
Our ground breaking ceremony was on October 26, 1969. It was a beautiful day. The Lord just seemed to smile on our efforts. Over $500.00 in donations were received that day. Jerry Little was the official builder. We were fortunate to have members with varied skills, who donated many hours of free labor. In May 1970, we moved into our own church. Although it was not completed, it was enclosed and we felt that we were in God's house.
On May 23 and 24, 1980, we had our mortgage burning and dedication, with Elder Stuart Jayne and Dr. Leon Rittenhouse leading in the "Act of Dedication" Several of our former pastors were present and took part in the service.
Our membership has grown from the original thirty-six to over ninety. All in all, we have a very good group of members who love the Lord and one another, and we're hoping and praying for the Lord to come and take us home, where we will be with Him and one another forever.
~~Myrtle H. Mason, Former Church Clerk
(sleeping until the Lord awakes His faithful servant)
