(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.

1886        Funds 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.

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 it’s original beauty.

2013       Church's Meeting House exterior restored to it's original beauty by steeplejacks.

2017       Seven new windows replaced aging windows in the Church Basement..

2021       300th Anniversary was first Celebrated with a Colonial type Service lead by Rev. Mobby Larson

"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

Current Staff

Ministers:	All the people of the congregation
Pastor:	The Rev. Susan Latourette
Christian Ed:	Mrs. Kay Lautzenheiser
Music Director:	Mr. Michael Noonan
Sexton:	Mr. 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."

Hymn written by Anne Gray, 1971,

Member of this church,

For the 250th anniversary.

North Stonington Congregational Church

1720 to Now        

From there:                                                                              To here:

“Our Treasured Past” submitted by the Pianka Family