The information below provides additional history about one of the sixteen points of interest along the tour. Visit Essex, Massachusetts and enjoy our self-guided tour to learn more about each historic Essex location on the interpretive signs.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
From the Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum archives:
“History of the Town of Essex from 1635 to 1868” by Rev. Robert Crowell, D.D.
FORMERLY NAMED CENTURY CHAPEL
The land it stood on was leased for 100 years
In 1849, the newly named Century Chapel was 40 x 46 feet and contained 46 pews. It was designed to be a “free church”, and the original plan was to have it built on shares of $5 each. But a sufficient amount was not secured and the chapel decided to sell the pews. This sale of the pews raised more than the entire cost of the building which was $1,500.