Old First Church, Bennington, Vermont

Here on Route 9 in Bennington, Vermont is the Old First Church, formed by separatists from Connecticut and Western Massachusetts, and is today considered Vermont’s Colonial Shrine.

The organizers were "Separatists," influenced by the Great Awakening, from Connecticut and Western Massachusetts in the 1760s. This church building dates from 1806. That it was the first church in Vermont dedicated to the separation of church and state is no small thing, and deserves a visit for that as much as for a look at the beautiful architecture.

Poet Robert Frost is buried in the churchyard here, another reason for a pilgrimage here, and we’ll have more about that another time.



For more on the history of this church and congregation, have a look at the Old First Church website.