Church Interior

     In the narthex are a table and two chairs on loan by Elizabeth Cotsibas from the Currier Family. The chairs were recaned by lucinda Patterson. The photos on the wall are of Nathan and Abigail Taylor from the original Walter Ingalls paintings, the stained glass windows at the entrance memorialize the Taylors. The guest book table was the church pulpit before 1950.

     Upstairs rooms were remodeled in 1953 as Sunday School classrooms. Later, in 1988 one room became an office for the minister's use. In the early days, this space served as an open gallery, used by the choir and church orchestra.

     The oak pews were installed in the nave area in 1897, and the most recent blue carpeting was installed in 1980. An original church pew is part of the Sanbornton Historical Society's collection at the Lane Tavern. The coat rack was built by Ellwood Bennett. A hymn board, not in use, was built by E. Willis Sanborn. A cabinet (over the book and periodical shelf) inscribed H.G. holds early communion cups, plates, and a 1971 church bicentennial plate. Two paintings on the rear walls of the nave "Jesus" were painted by Donald Wiggins and given in memory of Everett Patterson; "The Last Supper" was given to Rev. Leanne Tigert on her trip to Nicaragua in 1984. A banner adorns the wall on the left, denoting the year (1771) when the church was organized. The banner was designed with many symbols and created by Joy Tilton and committee for the 200th Anniversary Celebration of Congregational Churches in New Hampshire, now the New Hampshire Conference of the United Church of Christ. It was held on October 28, 2001 at the Whittemore Center in Durham, New Hampshire. Joy Tilton carried it in the parade of Banners.

     The Church chancel, altar, altar set, dorsal and lecterns have an interesting history. In 1950, the church remodeled the chancel. Douglass Prescott was the architect and the plans now hang on the Narthex wall. George Currier and his father, J. Sherman Currier, constructed the platform. Three of the original church pews were used as choir seats. Robert and Richard Wiggin were hired to construct the pulpit, altar and lectern. The altar, dorsal curtain (made by Elizabeth Cotsibas) and lighted cornice were given in memory of Rev. Abraham Bodwell, second minister of the Church, by the Bodwell family. The Lectern was given by descendants of the Perrin family in memory of Rev. J. Newton Perrin, the seventh minister of the Church. The Carl Hansen/Kent famillies donated the Altar set. Cash gifts were also received and the cost to the church was $126.85. Others involved in the project were Rev. Edward Ernst, Mr. and Mrs. Milton Stone, and Richard Currier. The chancel was dedicated on July 29, 1951.

     Before 1950 four small deacon chairs, upholstered in red velvet were used. These chairs were placed below the platform. The present deacon chairs, Victorian in style, were made by ancestors of Robert Hansen and were given to the church by him in memory of the Hansen family.

     The choir loft was expanded in 1953. The chancel lighting was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Warren Wilson. The offering plates were given in memory of Harry and Edith Barrett by Mr. and Mrs. Warren Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Mattlin, and Mr. and Mrs. James Barrett. The lectern and pulpit appendia were given in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Charles Bramble and the lectern Bible was given in memory of Janet Norman, 1930-1996. Marjory Hillman Marcello donated the audio system.

     The Communion table was originally owned by Clifton Ramsey. It was inherited by Paul Cotsibas who gave it to the church in 1989. The wall sconces for candles on each side of the altar were part of Clifton Ramsey's estate.

     The baptismal font inscribed on the bottom "O. Trask", was used in early times as well as the present. The donor is unknown. It sits on a small table made by Robert Bodwell.

     A united States flag stands on the left and a Christian flag stands on the right of the chancel.

     Historically, the Congregational Society voted alterations for the platform and pews to provide more space in the chancel for the choir members in July 1889. The photo by Elmo C. Weeks, taken prior to 1903 shows the earlier chancel, chandelier, wall lights and stenciling on the walls, as well as the pews in use today. The chandelier and wall lamps were used until 1926 when the church building was electrified. George Currier remembered helping his father lower the chandelier to replenish the oil and light the lights.