Niverville United Methodist Church

However, in 1864 a man from North Chatham decided to widen the variety a little. His name was Ward Nichols, and he founded a Sunday School and later a Prayer Meeting in an old schoolhouse. Both ventures were successful, and it was clear that this growing town was in need of a permanent church.

In the 1870s a subscription was started and over $1084 was raised by the townspeople to start the church. A local carpenter, Lucas Vandenburgh, was hired to commence the building. The church was completed in 1977 and had its first trustees meeting on October 24 of that year. The dedication of the new church was held in December of 1877. Such a large congregation attended that at the evening service it was necessary to place extra seats in the aisles.

In 1886 a bell was added to the steeple, the same bell that still rings every sunday. In 1894 a room was added to the building and used for Prayer Meetings and church suppers.

Further additiosn were not undertaken for over half a century, but they were then extensive. In 1960, the Christian Education Wing was erected, with a basement divided into classrooms and an office for the minister, and a kitchen and large open Fellowship Hall on the ground floor. The church sanctuary was completely refurnished and outfitted with a new Allen Organ in 1965, and in 1970 a parking lot was purchased. The parsonage was built in 1988.

In 1992, the Nivervile church united with the Chatham Center church to form one congregation with two buildings.

About 45 ministers have served our church since its dedication, from Rev. Widner, formerly of North Chatham, who spoke at the dedication ceremony, the the Rev. Dr. Robert E. Pennock today.