Why the First Congregational Church of Norwich is a significant part of Norwich's history
Norwich’s oldest church is older than the city itself, with a congregation that began in Saybrook and subsequently moved to Norwich after the city was founded in 1659.
Not only is the congregation the oldest in the city, but the physical house of worship for the First Congregational Church of Norwich at 81 East Town St. is the oldest currently in existence in the municipality, having been built in 1801.
Norwich City Historian Dale Plummer said the current building is the church’s fourth or fifth structure. The church was originally built on the Norwichtown Green in 1660 opposite from the houses of Major John Mason and Reverend James Fitch, two settlers that led the founding of Norwich. At that time, the more important you were in a settlement, the closer you lived to the church.
The journey to 81 East Town Street
“You were required by law to attend church every Sunday, on pain of corporal punishment or fines,” Plummer said regarding the congregation’s early days in Norwich.
The second church building was located on the Meeting House Rocks, above the church’s current location. The congregation moved there in 1673 prior to King Philip’s War. This proved to be a good move, as the site was difficult to attack and allowed for a solid vantage point to see potential enemies.
The church was moved from the Meeting House Rocks in the early 1700s, as older members of the congregation had trouble hiking up there.
After the church was burned by an arsonist, the current building was constructed at 81 East Town Street in 1801.
First Congregational Church of Norwich today
Currently, the First Congregational Church of Norwich remains financially viable and continues to gain new members, however Deacon John Ross said membership is not where they would like it to be.
“Of course every church would like to see seats filled every Sunday,” he said. “We are working on getting back to that again.”
One problem the church faces is that many of its members are elderly. In an effort to engage younger people, the church is in the midst of forming a partnership with other churches in Norwich to offer programs for children ages five to teenagers.
To recruit adults to the congregation, the church holds movie nights and potluck dinners.
“Little things like that, trying to get them to come in and worship with us,” Ross said in regards to the church’s outreach to adults.
The church is also trying to bring back members who have been watching Sunday services via the church Facebook page. They began livestreaming their services due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are unsure whether or not they should keep the service moving forward.
“We’re trying to get the community back together again,” Ross said.
Search for a new pastor
In addition, the First Congregational Church of Norwich faces the challenge of finding a new pastor following the recent retirement of Susan Prichard. They are currently in the midst of finding an interim pastor.
Ross noted that the congregation will overcome its current challenges just as it has countless times in the past.
“We’re 350 years old, we’ve gone through many turmoils,” he said. “We’re a community of service and a community of prayer and loving. We as a congregation are open and welcoming to everybody.”
Connor Linskey is a reporter at the “The Bulletin.” He covers public safety as well as the towns of Killingly and Plainfield. He can be reached at clinskey@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: 300-year-old First Congregational Church is the oldest church in Norwich
