Churches of Barnstead

First Meeting House was built about 1760, of logs, about a mile north of the Strafford line near a stream of water.

Parade Meeting House was the second Church built in Barnstead. It was built about 1788 and was 40' x 60' with posts 24'. It was completed about 1799. The dedication of the church was Sept 16, 1799.

Second Congregational Meeting House was the third meeting house and was started in 1803. It was on land provided by Joseph Tasker Esq. The structure was still unfinished up to 1820 when the building was moved to "Winkley's Corner". It was moved to its final location by a team of 200 oxen. It was two story with a high pulpit. The building was taken down in 1848.

North Meeting House was erected by the Congregational Society of Barnstead in 1820 at the north part of town, near the residence of Samuel G Webster Esq. It was repaired in 1853.

Freewill Baptist Meeting House was built and kept in good repair before 1872.

Centre Meeting House was erected in 1840. It has a tower. Occupied part of the time by Congregational Parade Church.

Early reverends were: David Knowlton (Freewill Baptist - ordained in 1803), Rev. William Balch, Rev. Enos George (First Congregational Church in Barnstead 1804), Rev. Joseph Buckminster, Rev. Joseph Haven, Rev. William Parsons, Rev. Peletiah Tingley. Elder Nathaniel Wilson was a Freewill Baptist and was ordained here in 1805, and died in 1843. Rev. E. H. Caswell was a Congregationalist who preached in Barnstead in 1853-1854. Others were Rev. Thomas Goodwin, Rev. William O. Carr, Elder Hecter Caufield, Rev. Amos Blanchard, Elder Jonathan Nelson and others.

Barnstead Monument and Church

Rev. Enos George

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