Jesus told his disciples that he would build his church (Matthew 16:18). He did not just provide an architect's plan, he supervised every construction process. The first three chapters of the biblical book of Revelation describe Jesus' report card for seven of the churches in ancient Asia Minor. They are, of course, something of a template for all churches, then and now, and are expected to match the plumb line that Jesus has set as his standard. The bad news is that the churches have many faults. The good news is that the Lord of the church loves the church and helps each church correct its shortcomings. Some are very good at following instructions. Some are very bad. Jesus loves them all, invites them to shape up but prefers that they don't ship out.

This book traces the search for and discovery of faith in Hebrew Patriarchs, and the faith journey such people took up to the time of Jesus. It notes the ups and downs of pilgrims from Abraham, through Moses, the prophets and to John the Baptist, then Jesus.

This book studies the ways in which St Paul and others spread the gospel, and consequently how churches formed after his missionary work. The premise is that churches follow the declaration of the gospel, the preaching and teaching of how Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah, who became an atonement for humans' sin, and whose resurrection precedes that of his believers who trust him for salvation.

The book discusses similarities and differences between Jewish tevila and Christian baptism. The question is whether baptism is a gradual evolution from the Jewish rite into a Christian form. Or is baptism an entirely new mode of initiation unique to the Christian faith. Is it a novum?

Birth, death and marriage records have been gleaned from many sources; some 8,000 persons are named. All old town record books (A, B, 2 through 5) were read, as were town vital statistic books that began in 1851. Cemetery records supplied death records mi