First Church

In 1691, a petition was presented to the General Court asking for the privilege of maintaining a separate church on the East side of the [Connecticut] River. The petition was granted in 1694.

The people erected a small frame meetinghouse that stood at the northeast corner of the old burying ground. The Rev. Timothy Edwards began his pastorate at this church.

In 1710, it was to build a new meetinghouse “to stand where the present meetinghouse standeth.” However, its erection was attended with many difficulties. In 1713, a petition was presented to the General Court stating fifty-seven families lived south of the meetinghouse and thirty-seven families north thereof. They urged a more equitable location for the new church. After the General Court denied the relocation of the church, the so-called southenders petitioned the Court for a separate parish. The petition was promptly denied. The new meetinghouse was thereupon erected in 1716.

In 1757, it was decided to build a new church toward the South. This church was built in what is now the center of Main Street, approximately 60-65 feet south of the present church. This church was occupied until 1845 when the present church was erected. The church is beautified by the memorial stained glass windows, a memorial tower and the Wolcott Chapel.