About the First Congregational Church of Haddam
by Virginia Evensen, Church Historian
Its history begins with the gathering of people along the Connecticut River in the late 1600’s when settlements were being formed. In October 1668 “the plantation of Thirty Mile Island shall for the future be called. Haddam” was named. It became the third settlement in Middlesex County and the fourth to become a town and gather a church.
“To become a town the people must have been able to support an educated and orthodox minister.” A vote was recorded in January 1691, “for the encouragement of a minister to settle with them, 50 pounds in provisions payed by the year”. The Rev. Jeremiah Hobart of Long Island answered the call in 1691. In addition to provision pay, he received firewood for his family and a parsonage. The church sold 200 acres of land for the nails to finish the house. There were many problems that delayed the formation of a church. The church was officially gathered on 11-14-1700. Reverend Hobart served the church until his death in 1715.
Construction of the first meeting house was begun in 1674. It was located on Main Street, now Saybrook Road. It was 28 feet X 24 feet. It was not heated. It was used for religious services and town meetings until 1721. There was no music in churches in this time period. In 1713 it was voted that “the Drum shall beat on every Sabbath day for the ensuing year.” The building did not have a bell.
David Brainerd, an early missionary, was born and educated in Haddam in this time period. He was noted for the inspiration he imparted to the missionary spirit and missionary enterprises of this time. He spent much of his life traveling and teaching the Indians and settlers along the northeastern Atlantic coast. A memorial to him is located on the northern end of Walkely Hill Road.
The Reverend Eleazer May was installed as minister of the Haddam church on June 30, 1756. At the time of his ordination, “the Church did consist of members, males and females as follows, thirty-eight males and sixty-two females.” Of these all but ten had died at the time of his own demise in 1803. Mr. May was in his prime when the Declaration of Independence was made. He led 100 troops to fight in the Revolution. Mr. May had a large and important parish. The meeting house was the customary place for consideration of all questions of public interest. The ministry was influential in all questions of state government and society. That he preached for nearly 50 years during this period of political and social agitation is evidence of his ability and wisdom.
A much larger meeting house was begun in 1770. The meeting house on Walkley Hill Road was dedicated on October 24, 1771. This building witnessed the “fervent zeal of men inspired with love of civil and religious liberty. Its years were among the most prosperous in the history of the town. People came from long distances, filling the pews, galleries and even the stairs. Boys and girls used to carry their shoes in the summer until they came to a certain point in the road, put their shoes on and wear them at the Meeting House, then remove them for the long walk home. The sermons were long. Attendance was universal. Those who slept and those who wandered seldom escaped the vigilant eyes of the Tithing Man.”
The first Sabbath school opened in 1819. It began on the second Sabbath in May and continued through the last Sabbath in August. “One hundred and sixty-seven girls and boys between the ages of seven and sixteen attended with commendable regularity. The school did not meet in the winter as there was no provision made for warming the Meeting House.
During the second ministry of Rev. David Dudley Field the question of having a church in the northern part of town was considered. After much discussion and final adjustments and compromise the Higganum Congregational church was formed on July 23, 1844.
Shortly after the separation of the Church, the question of building a new meeting house was proposed. In November 1845, the Society voted to build and appointed a building committee. The present site on Saybrook Road was chosen for the new building.
In 1855, the Rev. James L. Wright preached in Haddam and was invited to become the settled pastor. He accepted and was installed on May 16, 1855. The church family needed a wise, patient and strong pastor”. He was able to fill these needs.
Rev. Everett E. Lewis began his ministry in 1871. He served the church community and the town for 53 years. During his ministry the church was redecorated, electricity was installed, and wood stoves were added to the sanctuary. The church celebrated its 200th anniversary in 1900.
Rev. Roderick Macleod was installed as the pastor of the church on July 6, 1930. Today there are church members who remember him fondly. During his ministry, the church was the focal point of activity in the community. The Sunday school, the Ladies Benevolent Society, Blue birds, the Music club, Boys Work and Girls Work groups were active. There were ice cream socials, strawberry festivals, minstrel shows, lectures and potluck suppers throughout the year. Ninety-five families were active in the church.
The Rev. James Edmondson was called to be the pastor of the church in September 1958. Early in his pastorate, the church was redecorated, and extensive repairs were completed. The pews were rearranged. In 1959, additional land for expansion was necessary. The purchase of the property adjacent to the church including the Lewis house was completed in 1960. The Rev. Edmondson served the church for 20 years. The cooperative nursery school was formed during his ministry.
During the ministry of Rev. David Kinney, the church burned to the ground on November 14, 1979. This was a tragic time for the church family. Seeing the ashes and the front columns standing without the building behind them made the people of the congregation and the town folk sad. With support from the local churches, churches throughout Connecticut and around the country and the hard work of the congregation the building rose from the ashes and was dedicated in 1981. It was rebuilt in the style of the building that burned. The new church had a special area adjacent to the sanctuary for the Cooperative Nursery School. There was a Fellowship Hall and kitchen in the basement. This space has been used by Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and other community groups for meetings and other activities.
Rev. Ann Crites was installed as the first female pastor of the Haddam church in 1988. She served the congregation for 20 years. During her ministry, it became necessary to obtain additional clergy support. The Rev. John Collins and the Rev. Ruth Nye served the congregation part-time.
THIS IS A TIME FOR NEW BEGINNINGS………The members of the First Congregational Church of Haddam and the members of the Higganum Congregational Church have decided to work together to share the message of Jesus with each other and with the community. The Rev. Tomi Jacob-Ziobro has been called to serve in the shared ministry of both church communities. The congregations gather on Sunday at one of the church buildings at 9:30 am to pray and sing together and hear the sermons of the minister. There is a sign in front of each building that indicates where the morning service is being held. Religious education for children occurs at the same time. There is an adult choir that rehearses and sings on Sundays. For the second year in the summer, there is an additional brief service at the gazebo in Higganum at 8:00 am. Everyone is welcome including dogs on leashes.
The two churches have many outreach projects:
Back Pack ministry-back packs are prepared for several families to supplement food on weekends
Bread ministry-bread is made weekly and sold at the East Haddam Farmers market. All the proceeds are donated to the Haddam emergency fuel bank.
Food is collected and donated monthly to the Haddam Food Bank and Amazing Grace in Middletown.
The First Congregational church supports the Community Assistance program in Middletown.
A CROP WALK is planned for the fall each year; the proceeds are donated to Church World Service which works to eliminate hunger around the world and in Connecticut.
Both churches support programs at Youth and Family Service.
We are working together to make a difference in our community and in the world one activity at a time. Our doors are open to everyone.
Virginia Evensen, Church Historian