Members of the New Boston Congregational Church have much to celebrate this year. In an era when traditional Protestant churches in America are closing at a rate of several thousand per year, the welcoming doors of one of the area s last functioning Congregational churches are wide open.

Coming off historical lows of less than a dozen people at Sunday services a decade ago, today attendance at year-round, bi-weekly Sunday services averages about fifty. This remarkable revival owes in large part to the arrival in 2017 of a charismatic and upbeat pastor, Rev. Eric Kriebel.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of the New Boston Congregation in 1874. The Little Brown Church, as it is known, was built in 1879 in Gothic Revival-style, entirely of chestnut, and stands in original condition. It is a significant contributing element to the New Boston Village National Historic District (2022).

On September 29, the congregation celebrated the occasion with a special guest speaker, Rev. Michael Gantt of Brattleboro, Vermont, who presided as student pastor in 1970-71. Invited to speak in 2018 by Rev. Kriebel, that visit was his first in forty-seven years.

On this occasion Rev. Gantt spoke about the importance of legacies in American society and how traditional values and customs such as community volunteering and church attendance have faded. Forty-five pastors including three women, have presided in New Boston. He delivered a powerful talk about how each had left their mark, legacies, which connected six generations and enabled this church to survive. Long-time members could not recall a more rapt or compelling presentation.

Mr. Gantt is an author and hosts a radio show in Brattleboro. He has extensive missionary experience in Africa and credits his first pastorate at this small church and remote rural community as having influenced his career.

A video recording of Rev. Gantt s presentation is available at (www.newbostoncongregationalchurch.org/news)

The congregation in September 2024 heard Reverend Michael Gantt speak during his return visit. (Photo: Ron Bernard.)