Baptist Meeting House

655 Old Turnpike Road (Route 4)  Salisbury, NH 03268

Open Saturdays 1-3 pm, in the Summer & on Salisbury Old Home Day

Taken from “Historic Salisbury Houses” by Paul S. Shaw, M.D., 1995,  page 157

1790 – Although a vote was made to build a meeting-house, the plan wasn’t executed until another vote took place in 1791.

1791 -Elder Elias Smith conducted the first religious service in the new church. While the exterior of the building was finished, the interior was still incomplete, lacking a pulpit and pews.

1794– The meeting-house was completed.

1839 – It was contracted to remodel.

1898– “In 1898, the interior of the church was renovated by the congregation. It was the last major work done on this building until the town had it painted before turning it over to the Historical Society”.

1920s– “The Baptists ceased to hold regular meetings in the mid-twenties,  and the building became the property of the United Baptist Conference of the state. The building remained open for special occasions, including being the scene for many an Old Home Day oration.”

1938– The great New England Hurricane blew the steeple and weathervane off. 

1956– “In 1956, the United Conference deed the church to the town, which, within a year of the formation of the Salisbury Historical Society, turned the building over to the Society for $1.00.”

1966- “The Historical Society undertook extensive repairs. The old structure was jacked up and straightened, rewired, and repaired. The Old Baptist Meeting House, now home to the Salisbury Historical Society’s headquarters and museum, was once a gathering spot and place of worship for the Baptist Society.

August 1970– An article in the Concord Monitor dated August 1, 1970, reports the recent completion of the Steeple. It also refers to the installation of a new organ similar to one that was originally in the Meeting House. 

The steeple, which had been blown off in the 1938 hurricane, was rebuilt as a gift of Mrs. Joseph Straight of Long Island, New York, a former summer resident. The old weathervane, which had been reconstructed, was replaced on the steeple, and the clock was made operational. Reading about our Meeting House Tower Clock.

The bulk of the repairs were the result of local fundraising projects and work on the part of members and friends. More recently, the clock was rebuilt and put back in working order thanks to a contribution from Dr. John Kepper.”

2014 A much-needed extensive exterior painting project took place during which time old paint was removed on both the Meeting House and Hearse House (adjacent Museum). This was done in accordance with environmental regulations and at considerable expense to the Society, but it was necessary. Maintenance was done as well to ensure their preservation.

2021 August- Phase 1 extensive steeple repair work is done due to wood rot and weathering.

2026  Pending determination for the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places. DHR Evaluation Record: Architectural Resource

On February 9, 2026, the Baptist Meeting House was certified and added to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places.

Delving into the history of Salisbury, the initial orientation of the Meeting House can be perplexing, especially when compared to its current direction. Upon further investigation, a plausible explanation emerges. The Meeting House was originally constructed on the southwest side of the road, which remains its position today. However, the exact appearance of the central road before the construction of the 4th NH Turnpike around 1803 is uncertain. This road was an addition to the Old College Road, which also likely connected to this area, but that requires separate research. In 1890, Dearborn noted that the original location of the Meeting House was “just north” of where it stands now, with its main entrance facing east. Following its relocation in 1839, the north tower became the main entrance, although it does not face directly north but northeast instead. This change in orientation may have a straightforward explanation.

Between 1790 and 1794, the Meeting House was likely designed and constructed in alignment with the lot line, similar to the graveyard’s northern boundary. Consequently, all gravesites followed this alignment, suggesting that the towers were positioned at the building’s north and south ends, as indicated.

In 1839, following the establishment of the Fourth NH Turnpike and the subsequent increase in traffic, there were teams of horses and carriages traveling northeast and southwest along the Turnpike, stirring up dust.  The church’s north tower was positioned close to the road, and it is reasonable to assume that when it was “moved back, “it was moved back from the road.

It is now at an unusual angle relative to the graveyard behind it, which follows the northerly rock wall border line. The tombstones are aligned with the lot line. Notably, the lot line extends beneath portions of the neighboring residence’s driveway as it approaches the Turnpike.

When the building was moved in 1839, it was not specifically described as being rotated to its new location, but rather moved from a location “just north.” However, it was likely adjusted slightly to align with the current road, which would be a logical step. In addition, the Town House, now referred to as the Salisbury Town Hall, was built at the same time two doors down, and both buildings are oriented the same way.

In 1898, a significant renovation took place, although it is not detailed. During that period, pressed tin panels were in vogue, and it is safe to assume it was at this time of great popularity that it was installed over old plaster on the ceiling and part of the walls.  From a recent inspection of the space between the existing ceiling and the actual roof, it seems clear that the lower ceiling was always the design, first plastered, then covered in tin. There is reason to believe from the observations that the arching of the ceiling, where the wall meets the ceiling, may be an original feature.

The details provided by John Dearborn suggest that following the final renovation in 1898, the building remained unpainted until just before the town transferred it to the Society. This implies that from 1890 to 1956, the Meeting House may not have received any new paint. Concurrently, Salisbury’s population had sharply declined to merely a few hundred individuals.

The period from 1938 to 1966 suggests that the steeple, which is the uppermost part of the tower, may have been significantly damaged or nonexistent. Further investigation using old photographs is necessary to ascertain the extent of the damage.

In the initial period of Society ownership, the wallpaper likely was installed by members of the Historical Society.

As time passed, the Society expanded its overall collection and established additional displays in the Meeting House.

The Daniel Webster Room, located in the entrance room, is continually expanding its collection related to Daniel Webster with some fascinating new additions.

The Meeting House boasts excellent acoustics and has been the venue for musical performances and lectures. It is primarily used for our programs, meetings, and displays. Additionally, it houses our Archives on the second level.

The Salisbury Historical Society
PO Box 263
Salisbury, NH 03268

A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization