The lower room of the fort, which the Pilgrims toiled to build “in their time of wants and great weakness,” served as their place of worship, “and was fitted to that use.” [Sidenote: FIRST MEETING-HOUSE 1648] In 1648 the first church was built, on land back of the garden of Gov. Bradford, fronting that part of the first street which is now the Town Square. [Sidenote: SECOND MEETING-HOUSE 1683] “In 1683, it was decided to build a new structure, larger and handsomer than the last” at the head of the Town Square. The records state that “it had an unceiled Gothic roof, diamond windows, and a bell.” [Sidenote: THIRD MEETING-HOUSE 1744] After more than 60 years, the society again erected a new building in the same spot. After its use for 87 years, the last services were held there on April 10, 1831. [Sidenote: FOURTH MEETING-HOUSE 1831] In December, the new building was dedicated “to the worship and service of God.” To the great sorrow of the community, this was burned to the ground, November 22, 1892. [Sidenote: FIFTH MEETING-HOUSE 1896, 1899] On the 19th of June, 1893, plans were considered for a new church. The corner-stone was laid June 29, 1896, and the building dedicated December 21, 1899. * * * * * The architecture of the present church is of English Norman type, and bears some resemblance to the ancient church at Scrooby. The tower contains the town bell cast by Paul Revere in 1801, which hung in the old church, and sounded the alarm of fire before it fell among the blazing ruins. Gifts came from all parts of the country to help build or beautify the new church. Three fine windows of painted glass at the back of the pulpit were given by the Society of Mayflower Descendants of New York; the central window represents the signing of the Compact in the cabin of the Mayflower; on either side are seated figures of Civil and Religious Liberty. The window opposite the pulpit shows John Robinson delivering his farewell address to the departing Pilgrims. This window was the gift of Mr. Edward G. Walker. Near it is set as a memento, a piece of the doorstep from the ancient church in Delft-haven. In the vestibule are windows showing Pilgrim history, and tablets giving the Elders, the Ministers, and the Covenant of the First church. The building is a tribute from the spiritual heirs of this Covenant, to the Pilgrim Congregation of 1620. One of the hymns sung at the dedication of the new church, was written by Rev. John Pierpont for the dedication of the previous meeting-house, December 14, 1831. It contains these lines: “What have we Lord to bind us To this, the Pilgrim shore!-- Their hill of graves behind us, Their watery way before, The wintry surge that dashes Against the rock they trod, Their memory and their ashes,-- Be Thou their guard, O God!” [Illustration] [Illustration] The Pilgrim Citizen