First Church (Dedham, Mass.)

Church gathered in 1638; First Parish organized during the first part of the 18th century; in 1818 incumbent minister, Joshua Bates, resigned and the decision over his successor resulted in the famous Dedham case, during which a Unitarian majority of the parish outvoted the Trinitarian majority of the church, causing the latter to form a separate church, the Allin Church, which attempted to gain title to First Church property by the Dedham Decision of 1820, at which time, the liberal parish majority prevailed, remaining as First Church and Parish; currently affiliated with the Unitarians.

From the description of Records, 1818-1819. (American Congregational Association). WorldCat record id: 70946063