To contact us:
Mail:
North Stonington Congregational Church
P.O. Box 66
89 Main Street
North Stonington, CT 06359
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Phone: 860-535-0379
E-mail to:NoStoUCC@comcast.net
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Welcome to:
North Stonington Congregational Church
We are an Open and Affirming Church
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.
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
History of the Church