Happy Birthday!

We Are Celebrating Our 270th Year

 First Congregational Church, the founding church of Torrington, was first organized on Klug Hill Road on October 21, 1741 when Indian raids were still prevalent in the area. The fourth church building now stands at the corners of Route 4 and Route 272 where we will be celebrating our 270th Birthday. At the time of our organization a settlement could not have become a town without the establishment of a church. Community life not only centered around the church but citizenship depended upon church membership. In 1739, Mr. Roberts was being paid as a Pastor and a petition was sent with 25 names to the general assembly for recognition as a town. In October of 1740 that petition was granted and an "Ecclesiastical Society" was established and a tax of two pence upon the pound for the support of preaching was granted. Then in October of 1741 the church, known as the "Hemlock Church" was officially organized with 17 members.

 Today the church has over 165 members and continues to play a vital role in our community as it has for the past 270 years. First Congregational Church baptized the abolitionist, John Brown and ordained the Reverend Lemuel Hayes, the first Pastor ordained in America who was of African descent. Following the flood of 1955 First Congregational Church was able to remain open to serve hot meals to the workers from Bridgeport Hydraulic Co. who were making repairs to Torrington's water system. There are many other historical and exciting facts about First Congregational Church and our relationship with the City of Torrington and other churches in the area.

On Sunday, December 4th at 3:00 PM, there will be a Celebration Service in our Sanctuary followed by a reception in our Fellowship Hall. In the hall you will find stories, pictures and artifacts that depict the history of our church. Please come and join in the celebration and discover the deep and abiding connection between the City of Torrington and its founding church. 

Pictured here, repairing and painting our steeple that was moved here from University Drive back in the 1870's, are Paul and Mark Bastiaanse of Valley Restoration. We are preparing for our 270th Birthday Celebration to be held on December 4th at 3:00PM . We will have a Celebration Service followed by a reception and Historical Display in our Fellowship Hall. Coffee and of course Birthday Cake will be served. Admission is Free.

On Sunday March 20th the members of the church voted overwhelmingly in favor of continuing the process of building the addition by using some of the funds that the church has in unrestricted reserves. Due to the diligence of the New Building Committee we were able to find a contractor that will work with us to keep costs at a minimum, who are church minded and who will offer us assisitance as we work toward completing the addition. This is just the first step toward reaching our goal of additional space for the children and the other ministries of the church. We will be able to have the site work completed, the landscaping done and a weather tight shell with studded walls erected. We will, through some contractors and volunteer help, finish the inside of the building. There is still the need for continued financial support. If you would like to support us in this effort you may send your donation to The First Congregational Church of Torrington, 835 Riverside Ave. Torrington, CT 06790  - and mark it "New Building".