By 1796 the residents of early Monterey decided to move the Town Center, originally in the area of the Adonijah Bidwell House, to a more southerly position at the junction of Beartown and Carrington-Batelle Roads. There was an active subscription to build the new church, and by 1827 membership had grown to 164 persons.
In 1825 one Barnabus Bidwell bought property at the Second Center, and three years later became an active member of the congregation.
As the settlement prospered and grew, it became apparent that a third move was warranted, to a location further south with better roads and …