Canterbury in Merrimack County, New Hampshire — The American Northeast (New England)
The 'Worsted' Church
Photographed by Kelly Marsh, November 2, 2023
1. The 'Worsted' Church Marker
The unusual name of the former Union church that stood nearby from 1839-1958 came from its elaborate interior that was embellished with scripture, homilies and other decorations made from found materials like cotton gauze, paper and worsted wool. The handiwork of local author, poet and lecturer Sarah Elizabeth Harper Monmouth drew visitors to the church to see the "curious paper work" on display inside. Monmouth's personal story of frugality after being swindled out of an inheritance captivated people as much as her decorations did.
Erected 2023 by New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources. (Marker Number 0283.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Women. In addition, it is included in the New Hampshire Historical Highway Markers series list.
Location. 43° 23.41′ N, 71° 29.777′ W. Marker is in Canterbury, New Hampshire, in Merrimack County. It is on Shaker Road, on the right when traveling south. South of Baptist Hill Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Canterbury
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Belmont Library (approx. 3.7 miles away); Tale of a Trail (approx. 3.8 miles away); Belmont Mill / Saving the Belmont Mill (approx. 3.8 miles away); Shaker Village (approx. 4.6 miles away); The Centre Congregational Church (approx. 4.8 miles away); Canterbury Veterans of All Wars (approx. 5 miles away); Live Free or Die (approx. 5.6 miles away); Northfield Veteran's Memorial (approx. 5.7 miles away).
More about this marker. Sits up on a hill around a sharp corner.
Also see . . . Worsted Church, Canterbury, NH. New Hampshire Historical Society website entry (Submitted on June 28, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Kelly Marsh, November 2, 2023
2. The 'Worsted' Church marker and what is left of the building.
Photographed by Kelly Marsh, November 2, 2023
3. The 'Worsted' Church Marker
Photographed by Kelly Marsh, November 2, 2023
4. The 'Worsted' Church Marker
What remains of the building.
circa 1935
5. Mt. Zion motto in the 'Worsted' Church postcard
Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2023, by Kelly Marsh of Moultonboro, New Hampshire. This page has been viewed 640 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 2, 2023, by Kelly Marsh of Moultonboro, New Hampshire. 5. submitted on November 6, 2023. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
