Springfield 1636-1886, History of Town and City, by Mason A. Green ...

178 SPRINGFIELD, 1636-1886.
The meeting-house was old and small, — not equal to the demands
of the congregation, even with benches in the aisles. Before the
Indian troubles the contracted quarters occasioned much inconven-
ience. The selectmen in 1674 had proposed additions to the house ;
but the town wanted a new building. Finally vax'ious motions for a
new house, includiug that for a building committee, headed by John
Pynchon, were passed '-w"^ alacrity w%ut contention." The site
at first selected was Sergeant Stebbins's lot " on the hill," he to have
in exchange four acres north of Round Hill. A tax was not levied
until the winter of 1675, but the division of opinion about location
delayed the work until King Philip's war. Even in August, 1676,
the people, overwhelmed with loss of property and men, were bold
enough to vote with a faith that commands our admiration :
Ordered That Ensigne Cooly & Sam Marshfeild be added to y® committee for
y*^ meeting house affaire ; some of y"' being Dead : These are a supply & w*"^ y*
rest remaining, to act as formerly. The s