ATHENS, Vt. — The Athens Brick Meetinghouse will be the site of a Harvest Fest on Sept. 22, starting at 2 p.m. After the success of the Brick Meetinghouse 200th Birthday Celebration last year, organizers decided to make the barbecue and gathering an annual event.
All are welcome to the Meetinghouse Common starting at 2 p.m. for some fun, games and a chance to catch up with neighbors or make new acquaintances. There will be music, horseshoes, fun activities for children of all ages, and lots of raffle prizes. The barbecue will be served up at 3 p.m., with dessert to follow, while winners are drawn for the many great items being raffled off, including two cords of firewood.
The Meetinghouse is historically significant to the Windham County region, and particularly the 12 towns which comprised the “Old Athens Circuit” – Grafton, Rockingham, Townshend, Londonderry, Weston, Chester, Acton, Springfield, Landgrove, Windham, Putney and Mt. Holly. Circuit preachers from Athens traveled out to these 12 towns to perform religious services. Quarterly camp meetings with the Methodist congregants from these towns often lasted two days at the Athens Meetinghouse, also known as the “Mother Church.”
This historic landmark will be open for tours during this event. Suggested donation for the barbecue dinner is $10, children age 10 and under can eat for free. All proceeds will support ongoing work to preserve this historic landmark.
For more information, contact Sherry Maher at (802) 869-2141 or email [email protected], or follow Athens Meetinghouse on Facebook.
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