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Christ Church ~ 1903 Postcard
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1749-2021: Christ Episcopal Church ~ Norwich
The early Anglican parishes in Southeastern CT were based on core principles of the Church of England. Their first church in Norwich was founded in 1746. Its edifice an “edifice” is a church building was erected on Washington Street circa 1749.
In 1791, the parishioners moved their worship services to a more central location. Their original wooden building was dismantled, enlarged, and subsequently rebuilt in the Chelsea district of Norwich.
Later, in 1846, the parish returned to its original place of worship on Washington Street, and a magnificent new church building was erected.
The parish held services from 1846 to 2021 at the building on Washington Street.
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1850-1971: Trinity Episcopal Church ~ Norwich
A group of 39 men agreed to associate and organize the Trinity Church parish on January 7, 1850. The first two paragraphs of their original association document read:
“Whereas by the blessing of Almighty God the Episcopal Church in this city has been so far prospered that His people have been enabled to build two commodious and substantial churches, and now, and for months past, more sittings have been called for than could be furnished in the new and larger edifice on Washington Street. And inasmuch as the time seems to have come when the interests of the Church would be still more prospered by the organization of a new and independent parish to occupy the old church edifice;
“And whereas, the parish of Christ Church have agreed to sell the said old church organ and all other fixtures etc., appertaining thereto for the sum of five thousand dollars.”
1885 Map of Norwich Main Street
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The Trinity Episcopal Church, building identified in the 1885 map shown here, was initially dedicated in 1829 as the Christ Church of Norwich. It stood on a lot extending from Main to Church Street, and the total cost, including the organ and furniture, was approximately $13,000 ($334,000 in 2025 $). That church was consecrated by the diocesan Bishop, Reverend Thomas C. Brownell, on July 29, 1829.
However, in 1846, the Christ Church Society decided to relocate its church services to 78 Washington Street. They had used that place (the old Bushnell site) sixty years prior as a meeting place and as a cemetery.
A new, antique-style edifice was built atop the cemetery at a cost of nearly $50,000. A separate tower from the church was part of the original plan, but it was never constructed. Bishop Lee of Delaware laid the cornerstone on August 31, 1846, and Christ Church was consecrated in 1848.
The building that the Christ Church Society left behind, shown here, was relinquished to the Trinity Church in 1850. The denominations using the building changed from Christ Church to Trinity Church.
Former rectors for the Trinity Episcopal Church include:
Rev. Edward O. Flagg was called as the first rector of the Trinity church. He served from April 10, 1850, to June 1853.
Rev. Benjamin H. Paddock, (a native of the town and son of a former rector of Christ Church,) from August 1853 to 1860.
Rev. John V. Lewis, from 1860 to August 1865, when he accepted a call to Washington, D.C.
The 1914 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map shows the church still standing.
From 1865 through 1882 four additional men served as rectors of the Trinity Church. They are listed in Info Source XX
Rev. J. Edred Brown, rector of the Trinity Episcopal Church, led a Christmas service on December 28, 1910. (Norwich Bulletin)
Trinity Episcopal Church ~ c1905
Trinity Episcopal Church
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The architectural plans for
Trinity Episcopal Church
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Trinity Episcopal Church Behind Dunkin’ Donuts ~ 1960s
The postcard, shown on the left, taken in the 1960s, shows the Trinity Episcopal Church building behind Dunkin’ Donuts.
The church burned down in 1871.
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Acknowledgements
“History of Norwich, Connecticut: From Its Possession From the Indians, to the Year 1866”, p 457 , by Frances Manwaring Caulkins
“History of New London County, Connecticut: With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men (1882),” pp 296-297, by Duane Hamilton Hurd
“A Modern History of New London County, Connecticut,” Vol. 1, 1922, p 311, by Benjamin Tinkham Marshall
“A half-century of Parish Life: Historical Sermon,” 1900, by Rev. J. Eldred Brown
“Trinity Episcopal Church, Norwich, Ct.,” Public Domain postcard
“Trinity Episcopal Church,” Facebook Norwich CT USA Pictures
“1885 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of Norwich,” annotated by IconicNorwich.org
“Architectural Plans of the Trinity Episcopal Church, Norwich, CT.,” courtesy of WikiMedia