The Sanctuary began as The Congregational Church of South Amherst in 1839. The building has seen many changes since it was built. Our historian tells us that there used to be two entrances at the front...one for the women and one for the men. Of course the men and women did not sit together either. Heated by the wood burning fireplace and with no running water, the church thrived as an off shoot of Charles Finney's ministry. So, even before automobiles were the common form of transportation and horses were tied to the posts, the church has been alive with the Word.