1842-1854: Main Street Congregational Church ~ Norwich
As early as the year 1834, the house of the Second Congregational Society (the only Congregational denomination in the Chelsea section of the town at that time) was filled to overflowing. Investigations into the situation revealed that a large number of the city’s inhabitants were entirely deprived of the opportunity to attend church worship. The importance of providing enlarged church accommodations was encouraged by the Pastor and other members of the Society.
Numerous meetings for consultation were held, which resulted in January 1838, in the calling of a Society meeting. At the meeting, a committee was appointed to determine which families were willing to associate in forming a new church and to assess the funds that could be raised for the construction of a new house of worship. Efforts were also made to secure a site for the new Church, with the expectation that the entire Society would erect the building before a separation should take place.
On June 1, 1842, the Main Street Congregational Church was organized under the title of the “Fifth Congregational Church,” with 112 members. The congregation was comprised of ninety-eight members from the Second Church and several from the former Third Society (formerly on Sachem Street). Reverend Willard Child was installed as pastor of the church on August 31, 1842. The Society’s meetings were initially held in the town hall. Reverend Child resigned his office in September 1845 to become pastor of the First Church in Lowell, Massachusetts.
Location of the Main Street Congregational Church
The new Congregational house of worship was erected at 57 Main Street and dedicated on October 1, 1845.
A year later, Reverend John P. Gulliver was ordained as pastor on October 1, 1846. Under his efficient ministry, the church experienced significant growth in numbers and influence. The story of his spearheading efforts to build the Norwich Free Academy is detailed elsewhere.
Reverend Gulliver served as pastor of this church until it merged with the Second Congregational Church in 1857. He became the pastor of the new, combined church.
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Reverend John P. Gulliver
The meeting house of this society stood at 57 Main Street in Norwich. It was constructed of Chatham free-stone at an expense of $14,000 ($595,000 in 2025).
Unfortunately, their building was destroyed by fire on September 17, 1854, after it had been occupied for only nine years. Later, the Central Methodist Church was built on the site, allowing three successive churches of different denominations to occupy the same spot: Baptist, Congregational, and Methodist.
The illustration on the left is a reprint of an article from the Norwich Weekly Courier describing the fire. Click on the two right-pointing arrows to enlarge text.
A more eligible site for the congregation was then chosen at the corner of Broadway and Bath Street, and a new church was built of far greater capacity and convenience than the former. The foundation stone was laid in July 1855, and the edifice was completed and dedicated in October 1857. A title change became necessary, and that of Broadway Congregational Church was adopted.
Acknowledgements
“Manual of the Broadway Congregational Church of Nowich, Conn.,” p 4, by Alvan Bond, D.D.
“Hundredth Anniversary of the Second Congregational Church,” (1865), by Alvan Bond, D.D.
“A Modern History of New London County – Vol. 1,” p 296, (1922), by BenjaminTinkham Marshall
“History of Norwich, Connecticut: From Its Possession From the Indians, to the Year 1866,” p 559, by Frances Manwaring Caulkins
“Main Street Church Burned,” page 2, 09/19/1854, Norwich Weekly Courier
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button and, then typing “Main Street Congregational” in the SEARCH box.
1857-1918: Broadway Congregational Church &
1918-Present: United Congregational Church ~ Norwich
Broadway Congregational Church
In 1842, a group gathered from Norwich’s Second Congregational Church and several members of the recently dissolved Third Society (on Sachem Street) and formed a new congregation that met in the town hall until their own church building was constructed on Main Street in 1845. The congregation became the Fifth Ecclisiastical Society, and the building was known as the Main Street Congregational Church. The congregation eventually built the Broadway Congregational Church, replacing the Main Street structure that was destroyed by fire in 1854.
The Broadway Congregational Church, a much larger building than the first, was built in the Romanesque Revival style between 1855 and 1857. The building originally had a spire that was 200 feet high, but it was struck by lightning and removed in 1898. The church stands at 87 Broad Street today.
The foundation stone was laid in July 1855, and the edifice was completed and dedicated in October 1857. A title change became necessary, and the church was renamed Broadway Congregational Church. This church, the most costly and complete of any sacred edifice ever erected in Norwich, is 64 feet by 94. It is built of brick, with free-stone dressings, in the Roman style of architecture, and in its admirable system of ventilation, it is regarded as a model church.
The church’s organ was a gift to the church from William A. Buckingham. The Sabbath School room in the basement seated 450 people, and the adjoining lecture room seated 120. This society was comprised approximately 200 families, and the church had around 300 members in 1866.
Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933), made the Broadway Congregational Church’s stained glass windows. The windows are some of Tiffany’s early works, specifically built for his daughter, who was married in the church.
Reverend John P. Gulliver, the former pastor of the Main Street Congregational Church, became the first pastor of the Broadway Church. After nineteen years of service to Congregational Churches in Norwich, he resigned his charge to accept an urgent call from the New England Congregational Church in Chicago. When he was dismissed from Norwich on October 24, 1865, he left a prosperous and progressive church to which he was attached and reluctantly consented to the separation.
Rev. Gulliver’s successor was Rev. Daniel Merriman, 1868-1875, who carried on the tradition of strength and breadth, as did his successors, Rev. L.T. Chamberlain, 1877-1883, and Rev. Nelson Millard, D.D., 1884-1887. In 1888, the powerful pastorate of Rev. Lwellyn Pratt D.D., who had already accomplished a life’s work in a variety of spheres of work, was established. He gathered up the lines of service developed by his predecessors and added yet more of his own, increasing in power for nearly a score of years.
In 1918 the Broadway Congregational merged with the Second Congregational Church and has since been known as the United Congregational Church.
Entry to United Congregational Church ~ 2025
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Impact of the 1938 Hurricane on United Congregational Church
As early as 3 o’clock in the afternoon, the high wind began its destructive work. Reports of trees crashing into houses and across highways came into The Bulletin office before all telephone communication was cut off to the south of the city. However, the real force of the storm was not felt in the city proper until about 3:30 pm, when the roofs of buildings started to peel off under the power of the wind. One of the first things to catch the count was the town clock, whose four faces were blown completely out. Then the north tower of the United Congregational Church came crashing to earth, to be followed a few seconds later by the roof and front part of the top story of the Broadway School. The freight shed of the New Haven Railroad at the foot of Market and Shetucket Streets, weakened by the undermining effect of the water, could not withstand the terrific force of the wind and just crumbled. (by Myles E. Standish – “They Said it Couldn’t Happen Here — But it Did”
The United Congregational Church is a vibrant organization today, hosting services every Sunday.
Acknowledgements
“History of Norwich, Connecticut: From Its Possession From the Indians, to the Year 1866”, p 559, by Frances Manwaring Caulkins
“A Modern History of New London County, Connecticut, Vol. 1” pp 296-298, by Benjamin Tinkham Marshall
“United Congregational Church, Norwich (1857),” by HistoricalBuildingsCT.com
“Norwich Has A Tiffany Treasure,” (02/10/2017), by Maggie Peter and Alyssa Friedrich
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button and then typing “Broadway Congregational” or “United Congregational” in the SEARCH box.
1874-Present: Park Congregational Church ~ Norwich
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After the end of the Civil War, the growing development of Norwich expanded to the area around Williams Park (renamed in 1870 to Chelsea Parade). At that point in time, Norwich’s Second Congregational Church membership was continually growing in influence, culture, and spiritual and evangelical progressiveness. Their parish, located in downtown Norwich, had become a significant force in Eastern Connecticut.
In 1872, Reverend Malcolm McGregor Dana, D.D., the pastor of the Second Congregational Church, believed that the church’s benefits to the community would be enhanced by relocating to the suburban district near the Norwich Free Academy. This idea led to marked differences of opinion with the majority of his parishioners.
The initial plan was for this church, as a body, to relocate from the Landing to the new building, and for a new church to be organized for the Side. But after the building had been completed, it was tendered to the church for its acceptance. It was announced that a majority of the Second Church would leave their old home.
In early 1874, Dr. Dana resigned and, with 105 of his former members, formed the Park Congregational Church. Rev. William S. Palmer, D.D., came to the Second Church in the autumn of 1874 and began a fruitful ministry of fifteen years.
On May 8, 1873, ground was broken for a new Congregational Church at Chelsea Parade. On July 12th, the cornerstone of the building was laid. On March 17, 1874, the new church was organized as the Park Congregational Church. On April 12th, the new chapel was ready for occupancy. The church was completed and dedicated on November 18, 1874.
The Park Church began its vigorous life under the pastorate of Reverend Malcolm McGregor Dana. Reverend Dana served as the pastor of the church until 1878, when he removed to St. Paul, Minnesota, and was succeeded by Rev. Leonard Bacon, D.D. They, along with others like Reverend Samuel H. Howe, made Park Church a bright light in the Association, the state, and throughout the Congregational Church denomination.
As with most community organizations, the beauty and functionality of their physical buildings, as well as the success of their programs, were the direct result of countless contributions of time, energy, and donations.
The beautiful stained glass window, shown below on the right, was donated as a memorial. The window memorializes the good deeds and life well-lived of Sarah L. Huntington Smith. She had served as a missionary both locally and internationally. She passed away 38 years before the church was erected.
Info Source 1 provides a detailed description of many of the stained glass windows in Park Church.
SEVERAL EARLY DONATIONS
The completed church cost $100,000 ($28 million in 2025 $)
1873: Members of the parish pledged $70,000 ($2 million in 2025 $) for the building of the church.
1873: Harriet Peck Williams donated land at the corner of Broadway and Crescent Street at an estimated value $13,000 ($369,000 in 2025 $). She also donated 10 bells and the clock.
circa 1874: John Fox Slater donated $33,000 ($938,000 in 2025 $)
1887: William A. Slater donated the Teel House to Park Church as the parsonage
1897: Hugh Henry Osgood donated the land next to Park for a Parish House: $35,000 ($995,000 in 2025 $)
1902: Mrs. Hugh Osgood donated $35,000, and parishioners donated $6,000 ($170,000 in 2025 $) to build the Parish House
Lafayette S. Foster donated years of service as a consecrated Sabbath school teacher
The original church construction workers donated the Chapel clock
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Hugh Henry Osgood Memorial Parish House
The Parish House was built to accommodate social events, allowing admission to be charged. The consensus of the congregation was that there should be no monetary charge to use the church or chapel.
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The Hugh Henry Osgood Memorial Parish House was made possible by a donation from Mrs. Hugh Osgood. In 1902, her donation of $35,000 ($1.4 million in today’s $) was used to build the Parish House.
Mr. Osgood died in 1899, but Mrs. Osgood kept his legacy alive through her generous donation. The plaque, shown in the photo, is proudly displayed on the walls of Parish House.
Perhaps no better description of the character of the man could be given than that which appears on the tablet at the entrance to the beautiful parish house of the Park Congregational Church, erected to his memory. He was an interested and generous member of Park Congregational Church from its organization; a sincere and earnest Christian; a public-spirited citizen; a broad-minded patriot; a wise counselor; a devoted and unselfish friend; a man of noble powers, nobly used.
Twentieth Century Notable Improvements to the Church Include:
1949: The sanctuary underwent a complete renovation ($75,000)
1952: The Parish House parlors were renovated
1957: Park Congregational Church merged with two other churches (Evangelical & Reformed Churches)
1960: An addition was added to Park Church (library, pastor & secretary offices, and Nursery School)
1964: The nursery school was established
1964: A new organ was installed
The Park Congregational Church has been an integral part of Norwich since 1874. The church engages and supports all people through worship, fellowship, learning and service so that all may find in this community the Spirit of the Living Christ. Services are held on Sunday mornings at 10 a. m.
For a much more detailed history of the Park Church, please refer to Info Source 1.
Acknowledgements
“Our History,” by Park Congregational Church
“History of New London County, Connecticut: With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men (1882),” p 295, by Duane Hamilton Hurd
“A Modern History of New London County Connecticut, Vol. 1,” (1922), p 297, by Benjamin Tinkham Marshall
“Park Congregational Church,” Public Domain postcard
“Hugh Henry Osgood Memorial Parish House,” by Bob Dees
“Park Congregational Church Stained Glass,” by Bob Dees
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button, and, then typing “Park Congregational” in the SEARCH box.
1867-2022: Taftville Congregational Church
The manufacturing village of Taftville in Norwich was established in 1866 and centered on the Taftville Mill, which later became the Ponemah Mill, the largest textile mill in the world under one roof. The company gave land to the village’s Congregational Society, which built the Taftville Congregational Church in 1904.
Reverend John Edgar presided at the first meeting, which was held in Taftville on July 8, 1866. A Sabbath School was organized in November of 1866, and the ecclesiastical society was formed in Taftville on June 5, 1867. The society first met in the Boadine House, which adjoined the old Fame House.
The church was organized on December 3, 1867, with twelve members, with Reverend Hiram A. Tracy serving as the first pastor.
Taftville Congregational Church (2013)
16 North B Street
The edifice shown in the photos above was built in 1904 and was known as the “Green Church” due to its distinctive color.
Reverend Jack Shackles, the last pastor of the church, served from 2007 to 2022. The Taftville Congregational Church dissolved in 2022.
Upon his retirement, Rev. Shackles said, “The congregation was unable to sustain the building; the membership had dwindled, and they have gone to other churches.”
The building was sold to St. Mary and St. Moses Coptic Orthodox Church in February of 2023. Unfortunately, only six months later, on August 5, 2023, a significant fire occurred, destroying approximately 35% of the building. Refer to Info Sources 2 and 3 for more details.
Acknowledgements
“History of New London County, Connecticut: With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men,” (1882), page 295, by Duane Hamilton Hurd
“Historic Taftville Church Burns Overnight,” (08/06/2023), by Anna Schier
‘We lost everything: Taftville church will take over a year to repair after Saturday fire,” (08/07/2023), by Matt Grahn
Public Domain
The complete list of sources may be found by clicking the “Bibliography” button and then typing “Taftville Congregational” in the SEARCH box.