Chapter 5 - The First Church

Section I - Required Church
Whatever the reason for the request to incorporate the town, a reason given in the petition was the desire to establish a church in Bellingham. The Proprietors, prior to incorporation had laid the groundwork on May 21, 1718:
 
"May ye 21th 1718. being a publick Meeting of the propriators of that Tract of Land belonging to Dedham Westward of Wrentham in order to choose a Committe To make their adress to ye Town of Dedham relateing the Church lott sold by some of ye church of Dedham, to Josiah Thayer, ye propriators then Mett at ye hous of Ebenezer Thayer on sd land & chose Leut John Darling Moderator and so proceded to choose a committee which were Leut. John Darling, Ensn Jonas Draper & Ensn John Tompson and Impowere them to address ye Town of Dedham for Releaf with referance to sd Church Lott & also get the Selectmen take care that some persons be appointed to Lay out highways in sd tract of land to accomodate ye Inhabitance & Likewise to preambulate Line between them & Wrentham."
 
The petition to incorporate begged that they "may be incorporated togather and made a Town & Invested with Town Priviliges that so we may be inabled in Covenient Time to obtain ye Publik Worship of God setled among us & our Inconvieniencys be removed........." The request to have a church was not an option. No town had been incorporated without a Puritan Church, so this request was a formality.
 
The approval by the General Court held them to their request "Provided they Procure & Settle a learned orthodox Minister, within the space of three years next coming ........."
 
The Town's three years began in March 1720 but it was two years, until April 16, 1722, before a town meeting took formal action.
 
"......then chosen a Committee to seek out for a Minister to preach with us when ye meeting house is fit. Capt John Darling, Lieut John Tompson & Pellatiah Smith."
 
There is no record of earlier less formal movement toward finding a minister.
 
The Town Meeting of September 26, 1722 "Passed by a voat that Lieut John Tompson allowed 1-16-6 for Ministers Board" Evidently visiting ministers held services, whether in a public building or a private home. Some of the delay may have been related to the planning and construction of the Meeting House. Perhaps the citizens believed the construction of the Meeting House would better lure a more prominent preacher.