GREENFIELD — It welcomed parishioners long before the Civil War, served as a makeshift gymnasium before the town had a YMCA and continues to host events like the dinosaur and bee festivals.
With its long and diverse history, it’s no mystery how the Second Congregational Church earned its nickname, “The Uncommon Church on the Common.” For 200 years, it’s been at the heart of the community — both figuratively and geographically.
“There’s so much that happens here, and so much that wells up in people that they want to celebrate not only the religious and church piece, but the greater community,” said Sandy Thomas, co-chair of the 200th Anniversary Committee. “You look back at the history — that’s what people have always done here.”
On Sept. 23 and 24, the church will celebrate its bicentennial with a weekend of festivities, including a special service, commemorative book sale and children’s activities. Thomas noted that 200 years is a milestone many churches never meet.
Throughout its history, the Second Congregational Church has served as a community gathering place and attracted some of the town’s most famed residents — including Dexter Marsh, a sexton who discovered what are considered to be the first fossilized dinosaur footprints to be systematically studied by a scientist, and the Rev. Lorenzo Langstroth, the father of American beekeeping.
“Both sprang out of the Uncommon Church on the Common,” 200th Anniversary Committee member Amy Swisher said.
Marsh and Langstroth even lived across the street from each other and became friends in the 1800s.
The Second Congregational Church was an offshoot of the First Congregational Church, which once sat on the Trap Plain Common across from where AutoZone is today. When some members of the church decided they wanted a more central location, they moved to downtown Greenfield, where the Second Congregational Church was built.
Originally a brick structure, the first church was razed in 1868 and the new Gothic-Revival Second Congregational Church was constructed. Since its inception, Thomas said, members of the church have always responded to the community’s needs.
In the early 1900s, before the town had a YMCA, a large hall in the church was converted into a gymnasium, which served the community for decades. Thomas and Swisher said there also used to be a rifle range and a bowling alley in the basement.
“The church was really the center of town life,” Swisher said. “Why would a faith community do that? Because the faith community is a welcoming community. Naturally we’re positioned in this place geographically to be welcoming, and naturally we are because there’s the faith part of that that says, ‘Welcome and bring in.’”
Today, the church hosts community meals, concerts and forums, and groups including Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous meet there weekly.
“If other agencies need some space or anchoring energy here, we’re a resource for that,” Swisher said.
Several years ago, when there were a number of opioid-related deaths in quick succession, the church hosted a service of hope and healing, which was well-attended by people throughout the recovery community. The church also hosts a Blue Christmas service for those who feel grief around the holiday season.
“We’re really just trying to respond to the needs that people have,” Thomas said.
Swisher added that the church has also made a decision to be overtly welcoming to people from all walks of life, including those who have been marginalized in the past because they are gay, lesbian, transgender or bisexual.
In honor of the church’s 200th anniversary, members have created a commemorative hardcover book that will be available Sept. 24.
“We’re hoping that people who like the history of Greenfield and appreciate the history, in particular, of this congregation will be interested, but it’s beyond our congregation — there’s a lot of town history, too,” Thomas said. “It’s a real honor and a blessing to be able to share this kind of information.”
In addition to the weekend celebration on Sept. 23 and 24, the church will also host a DinoFest Oct. 7 — a tribute to Marsh’s discovery.
Swisher and Thomas said looking ahead, members will continue to identify and address needs in the community, while also continuing to be worshipful and faithful.
“All of those things that are central to our core mission,” Thomas said.