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was called, was being used as a storage house and was in poor repair. On July 4, 1833, the Presbyterians voted to demolish the former Congregational Church. This was done July 26, 1833. The Congregationalists were enraged over what they considered to be an illegal act, and brought suit on August 3rd. On the 28th of the same month, it was voted to build a new Congregational Church on the site of the old. In 1834, the dispute was amicably settled and the "Church War" ended. Also, the new Congregational Church was "erected but not fully finished." The church was dedicated July 14, 1836. About this time, it is recorded the "first bel1 in Middletown" was placed in the church's belfry.
In August 1871, the 1834 church was demolished to make way for the present building. The cornerstone was laid with impressive services on May 16, 1872 and the building dedicated October 22, 1873. The architect was I.G. Perry. A large addition was made in 1927 at the rear of the building.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
The 1830 church building having grown too small, in 1863 it was resolved to build a new church. A building and fund-raising committee were appointed in 1864. In 1866, the old church was demolished, and work begun on the new. The present church was dedicated October 24, 1867. Originally built with a 156-foot spire, this was damaged by winds and lightning several times. Finally, in 1920, it was voted to remove the steeple.
GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Episcopal services were first held here in the summer of 1843, the group meeting at various places. Grace Church Parish was incorporated February 18, 1845. In June of that year, a lot on which to erect the church was purchased for $550 from Henry E. Horton. A building plan was adopted in 1845 and work begun in early 1846. John K. Moore was the carpenter with stone work done by Welch & Talmadge. The first service in the new church was held Christmas Eve, 1847. Grace Church was consecrated September 12, 1848. The spire, north transept and south transept were added in the late 1860's.
Work on the parish house on Depot Street began in May, 1912. Completed by the end of the year, the facilities were in use by January, 1913. David H. Canfield was the architect. On December 21, 1975, three people died as a result of a fire in the building next to the church. At the time, the building was used by two retail stores on the first floor, offices and studios of WALL radio on the second, and apartments on the third floor. The fire had been set, and the arsonist arrested. Grace Church suffered some damage, as did the building on the corner of North and Depot Streets. To protect the church, both buildings were purchased and demolition was completed in early July, 1976. Grace Church