The aim of our church is the development of a caring fellowship in which all persons can share and grow in their love of God and neighbor.  

We strive to achieve this by:

  -providing a climate within the worship services and the programs  of the church for fellowship, participation and education.

 

  -increasing awareness of human needs and exercising responsibility for persons within and without the caring fellowship by sharing with them our concern and help.

 

  -equipping the fellowship for service by providing the opportunity for discovery, acceptance and education through small learning and sharing groups.

 

The Annisquam Village Church is an interdenominational community church.  The geographic area of the church, called The Third Parish and established in 1728, originally included the village of Annisquam, Bay View and Lanesville.  Now the community of the church extends well beyond those boundaries.

 

In 1728, the Third Parish was founded.  The Church was Puritan in belief and Congregation in polity.  Pastor Benjamin Bradstreet served for 34 years--from 1728 until his death in 1762.  The church primarily relied on local supply ministers until “Father” Ezra Leonard was hired in 1804.  He served until his death in 1832.  He was considered a “Renaissance Man.”  In addition to serving as pastor, he also served as medical doctor, teacher, and state representative.  In 1811, Father Leonard had a “conversion experience” and left behind his orthodox, Puritan beliefs in favor of becoming a “Universalist.”  The Third Parish became a Universalist Society and kept Father Leonard as their pastor.  In 1830, a New Meeting House was constructed, this is the building that we worship in today.  Father Leonard died in 1832.  There were many pastors after his death.  In 1944, the pastor had a “conversion experience” (from Universalist to Episcopalian).  The Church voted to keep him as pastor, and Episcopalian doctrine was taught in Sunday School.  The next pastor urged the Church to become a non-denominational, Protestant, Community Church.  In 1954, the Parish voted “To conduct a Protestant interdenominational church for public worship of God.”  We remain such today.