In 1724 a group of settlers ed the General Court to let them have a and of their own. The was granted on the condition that the settlers build a and hire a minister. This became Methuen, named after Lord Paul Methuen of Corsham Court, , a close friend of Governor Dummer.

The first services were held at Asie Swan's . The was soon built on Meeting Hill on the patch of next to the across from what is now the entrance to Holy Family .

There was no heat, carried foot stoves -- little metal boxes with perforated covers filled with live coals.

The call to was beaten by a .

Sermons were often three hours long. A tithing kept on the and turned it over every sixty minutes. spent all day Sunday at , bringing a lunch or going to a nearby tavern for the noon meal.

The first minister of the of Methuen was Christopher Sargent, who served many years. As part of his pay he received a yearly supply of for his fireplace.