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.