CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF NORTH STONINGTON
HISTORY
Milestones in our Past
The town's history and that of our Congregational Church are closely linked. The political boundaries were actually drawn as a result of the geographic division that was made in order to establish the North and the South Ecclesiastical Societies of the larger town of Stonington.
1720 Early worshipers from the north part of Stonington who traveled to the meeting house on Pequot Trail undertook to have religious services held in their own vicinity.
1721 An ecclesiastical line of division was established by the Connecticut General Assembly and the first North Society meeting was held on January 18, 1721. The society voted to build a house of worship about one mile north of the village at "Meeting House Corner" (the intersection of Wyassup and Reutemann Roads.) In time the meeting house became known as "the old black meeting house", because the unpainted wood weathered to a dark color.
Model made by Richard Wingate
based on plans noted in early church records.
1727 The North Society voted to call Mr. Ebenezer Russell as their first permanent minister.
1742 James Davenport, of Long Island, a "New Light" preacher divided the church; many left and started the Strict Congregational Church. After Joseph Fish's death in 1781 there was no regular pastor for 36 years.
1817 The "old black meeting house" was taken down and a house of worship was erected on our present site. That building was constructed with the boards from the "old black meeting house," and stood here for another 30 years. The two churches also began the reunification process, which was completed in 1827.
1848 The present church was built for the sum of $3,350.
1853 The parsonage was built, and the horse blocks were added on each side of the front of the sanctuary.
1886Funds donated by Major Dudley R. Wheeler provided the stained glass windows and furniture: pews, pulpit and wainscoting, all of beautiful solid cherry. The building was rededicated in April, 1887.
1889 Annie Wheeler donated $1000 to establish a library for the pastor and a "Sabbath School".
1905 The church organization and the Ecclesiastical Society merged. The church was incorporated and the Society was dissolved, transferring all property to the church.
1921 Electricity was installed in the church and parsonage.
1945 A pipe organ was installed in the balcony of the sanctuary. In the difficult mid-1940's the church federated with 3rd Baptist Church, which union lasted until 1959.
Congregational Church of
North Stonington
1720
to NOW:
1961 The ecumenical movement led to the church's decision to become part of the United Church of Christ.
1965 The Hewitt Hall Annex was built and dedicated. The campaign was led by Rev. Edward H. Hayes and Mrs. Antoinette Butler Hewitt, a lay leader and major donor for whom the hall was named.
1971 The 250th anniversary of the church was celebrated under the leadership of Mr. Donald Judge and Rev. Hayes.
1996 The 275th anniversary of the church was celebrated with music and text taken from the previous leaders of the church.
1999 Gifts in memory of Dr. James Sweet, Ethel Fennell, Jane Cary Nearing, Marlene Peabody and the Carlson Family Foundation enabled the updating of the Bride's Hall, restoration of the front steps and railing, and additions to the sound system.
2011 Hewitt Hall exterior was renovated to its original beauty.
"And how are they to hear without a preacher?"
Romans 10:14
In gratitude for all those who have come before us, and in celebration with all those present with us now:
Our Church Ministers:
1727 to 1731
Rev. Ebenezer Russell
1732 to 1781
Rev. Joseph Fish
*1746 to 1749
Rev. Matthew Smith
*1753 to 1755
Rev. Oliver Prentice
*1759 to 1780
Rev. Nathan Avery
*1786 to 1819
Rev. Christopher Avery
1812 to 1822
Rev. Asahel Nettleton
1824 to 1837
Rev. Joseph Ayer
1837 to 1839
Rev. Peter H. Shaw
1839 to 1844
Rev. Philo Judson
1846 to 1852
Rev. Myron Morris
1853 to 1869
Rev. Stephen Hubbell
1873 to 1879
Rev. James R. Bourne
1881 to 1884
Rev. John W. Savage
1884 to 1900
Rev. William B. Cary
1900 to 1909
Rev. Edwin Judson Klock
1909 to 1914
Rev. Frederic M. Hollister
1915 to 1925
Rev. Oren D. Fisher
1925 to 1937
Rev. Inor Partington
1938 to 1942
Rev. C. Thurston Chase
1947 to 1948
Rev. John G. Clark
1948 to 1952
Rev. Thomas E. Moye
1953 to 1955
Rev. George Brown
1955 to 1971
Rev. Edward H. Hayes
1972 to 1999
Rev. Newell E. Bishop
1999 to 2002
Rev. Lee A. Ireland
2002 to 2008
Rev. Rachel Fay Dunn
2008 to 2011
Rev. Linda Higgins
2011 to now
Rev. Susan Latourette
"
* denotes "Strict" clergy
Ministers:
All the people of the congregation
Pastor:
The Rev. Susan Latourette
Christian Ed:
position currently vacant
Music Director:
Mr. Michael Noonan
Sexton:
Ms. Charlotte Melia
Secretary:
Mrs. Rosemary Kuemper
"Today we search our past to find
Our roots and how they grew;
The work and sacrifice of love,
That our ancestors knew.
We want to learn of this, dear Lord,
To gain a better view.
That we may find a challenge there,
Our lives a brighter hue.
Beyond the veil of circumstance,
They rose to every strife;
This fills our hearts with hope today,
This gave our church its life.
And so let us be so inspired
To carry on, be true;
With a new vigor, fainting not,
The Lord's good work to do."
Text written by Anne Gray, 1971,
Member of this church,
For the 250th anniversary.