1649The selectmen passed an order designating a section of land for a “teaching elder,” or someone to lead religious worship.People and Communities, Government and Public Service, City Government, Religion

The order provided “that 10 acres of upland shall be reserved, and laide out, for a teaching Elder, near the place of the old meeting-house, upon the plaine lying neere tho the Swampe betweene the harbor and the plantation ; and soe to be reserved unto the use of teachinge Elders unto all posteritie.” (Town Records, 10)