The history of the Cheshire United Methodist Church began in 1800, the year Thomas Jefferson was elected to his first term as President of the United States. On October 28 to that year a parcel of land was sold by James Bunnell to Eli Persons and others "to erect and build or cause to be erected and built thereon a house of place of worship for the use of the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church." More than thirty years passed before Persons and the original trustees were able to begin work on their church. During most of these years, Cheshire Methodists depended upon itinerant preachers to lead them in worship. Not until 1829 were regular Methodist services held in Cheshire, these at the Center Schoolhouse. In 1832 there were thirty-six members of the Methodist Church in Cheshire, but the group was still without its own place of worship.

Finally in April 1834, a church building committee began meeting. Once formed the committee acted quickly. Before the year was out the church, which is, now located on the corner of Spring and Main Streets was standing. The cost of the brick structure was $3,000. Many years later, in 1886, the following letter was found inside the old pulpit. Written by the builder, it attested to the spirit with which he undertook his task. "I, Ebenezer Dudley, do this day copy a few lines to be had in remembrance, and to be enclosed in this desk. The two employed to erect this Church were Eldad Keeler, Master Workman; Ebenezer Dudley, Journeyman. It seems God in his providence has blessed the people in attempting to build a house of worship, and may He continue to bless and convert until all shall be brought to know him, from the least even to the greatest."  (Read More...)