Church’s Field

Church’s Field was purchased by the Rochester Land Trust in 2010 from George Church. It consists of 32 acres between Mattapoisett Road and the Mattapoisett River.

HABITATS:

• open field maintained for optimum bird habitat
  
• wet meadow
• wooded uplands
• hardwood swamps
• floodplain

HISTORY: Church’s Field was part of an original 1600s colonial grant from the King of England to Benjamin Church, one of the heroes of King Philip’s War. Although Church settled in the Somerset area, his sons settled in Rochester. There is a cellar hole from one of their houses on the west side of the river. The family farmed and sold timber sawn at their mill to the thriving shipbuilding industry located in Mattapoisett Village. Just before the river is a pile of glacial erratics that may have been an Indian landmark. Tousand, one of Phillip’s war chiefs, had his village across the road in Haskell (Bear) Swamp.

VISIT: Park near the Church’s Field sign and cross the field. Enter the woods through the opening in the stone wall. The trail passes through a mixed hardwood forest and wetlands where frogs and diverse ferns and mosses grow. The trail finally comes to the Mattapoisett River where the benches at this peaceful site are perfect for private reflection. Return by the same route or continue on to the woods road on the property of the Church Cultural and Historic Family Trust.

• Walk from the road through the field along the trail to the Mattapoisett River. Be aware of State hunting seasons when walking the trails.
• Watch various upland mammals, field and forest birds and riparian reptiles and amphibians. The summer wildflower display at the river is outstanding.
• Picnic on the table in the field or on the benches near the Mattapoisett River. Please take any trash away with you.
• Fish with a valid license.
• Ski allowed on the trails.
• Motorized vehicles are not permitted.