Church History

Church History: Our roots and branches

 

In October 1686, twelve men had a vision to establish a church in Preston. A petition was sent to the General Court of the Connecticut Colony, asking the privilege of organization, being they were “remote from any place of public worship – the way to either place (Norwich or New London) being dangerous in winter by way of the River”. On January 26, 1687, the general assembly granted a patent or, “privilege of plantation” to the people of what was to become Preston, to form a township to include a meetinghouse, “when they shall be arrived to such a capacity as to mayntayne a minister.” Steps were taken immediately to secure a minister and for the next ten years, a number of men were contacted. Seventy acres of land were set aside as an enticement for a minister to settle here. A yearly salary of 50 pounds and 30 loads of firewood were offered. On December 15, 1697, the town of Preston “voted to receive Rev. Mr. Salmon Treat as a lawful minister and inhabitant of the town…” Mr. Treat accepted the call in the summer of 1698 and in October, the General Court gave its permission for them to form a church. The First Church of Preston was dedicated on November 16, 1698. The church, or meetinghouse, as it was known, was used for civic as well as ecclesiastical purposes.

 

In February 1737, the General Assembly was once again petitioned for a new and larger meetinghouse. The second meetinghouse was completed on February 8, 1740, in just over two years. In the early 1880’s, a third even larger building was constructed and, after an unexplained fire on March 19, 1886, the fourth and present church was erected.

 

As our church membership continued to increase, we have expanded to meet growing needs. We were able to purchase the four and one half acres of adjacent land and renovated the 'little house’ on it to become the church offices. The parking lot was enlarged and the “Field of Dreams” and pavilion became a reality. The Christian Education Wing was dedicated on March 24, 2002. Improvements to our church building have included a new gas furnace, and air conditioning was added to the sanctuary and Halls' Hall, which was remodeled. A new organ and sound system were installed in 2005.

 

The sanctuary was renovated in 2015 with new carpeting, paint and the removal of the drop ceiling, which was installed in the 1970’s as an energy-saving measure. The twenty-four beautiful stained glass windows of the original building were uncovered and repaired, and the large stained glass window was cleaned and reinforced. The chancel area platforms were expanded and a center railing installed; all railings were refitted to be removable. In 2016, we acknowledged Charlie Fessenden, a great advocate for our church, by dedicating the main entry to the church hall as the Fessenden Foyer. The Sunday School Hall was named Dudek Hall in honor of Sandy Dudek who has served as our Director of Religious Education for 25 years.

 

The Preston City Congregational Church has been led by thirty ministers throughout her history. Nine ministers were ordained here, including Mr. Treat who served as minister for forty-six years; eight died here and six are buried in Preston City Cemetery. January 20, 1985 was the first Sunday Reverend Stanley White preached as pastor of the Preston City Congregational Church. In August 2007, the membership voted to hire seminarian Amanda Ladegard to assist Reverend White for one year. Reverend Thomas Flynn served as Associate Pastor in 2017. At the Annual Meeting in February 2020, Reverend White announced his retirement at the end of July 2021. Reverend Raefield Perteet began as our thirtieth pastor in July 2021. His pastorate ended on December 16, 2022. As Continuing Congregationalists, we once again exercised our independence and at our Annual Meeting on February 12, 2023, church members voted that Rev. Dr. Mark Porizky and Rev. Stanley White, Minister Emeritus, serve as Interim Co-Ministers.

We welcome the opportunities that a shared ministry will bring.

 

Since 1686, when the original twelve members petitioned the state for organization of a township at Preston, self-determination and spiritual leadership have been the essence of our congregation. At the request of residents in the northern part of Preston (now the town of Griswold), the North (or Second) Society was established in 1716. The town of Griswold separated from the town of Preston in 1815. In 1747, there was change in the congregation, one of discord. The Great Awakening was spreading throughout New England and Preston was not left out of this movement. Six members of our church formed the Separate Church of Preston and many soon followed them to this new evangelical society. This new church was not long-lasting and July 27, 1817 saw the final recorded minutes of the Separatist Church. In 1812, a significant number of members left our church when the Baptist Church was established. Loss of members did not necessarily mean loss of spirit, and during the pastorate of our sixth minister, the temperance movement was quite an issue. Independence and the right to make our own decisions are characteristic of Congregationalism and we have certainly shown ours, especially in the early twentieth century when a succession of ministers came and left, with none staying longer than six years. When many Congregational churches voted in 1957 to merge with the Evangelical and Reformed Church to form the United Church of Christ, our congregation voted to remain independent. In the spring of 1987, the membership unanimously approved to unite with the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches, which emphasizes the autonomy of the local church. June 27th, 2006, the membership voted to allow the minister to perform civil union ceremonies outside of the church.

 

Since 2004, we have held two Sunday church services, except for during the summer months. Our Sunday School continues when many other churches have had to end theirs. In 2016, we began web streaming our nine o’clock Sunday service in order that our shut-ins and others around the country (and world!) can join us in worship and instituted online giving as another choice for financial support of our church. The Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 - 2022 presented challenges for our church and life as we knew it. March 8, 2020 began our state quarantine. There were no in-person church services. Everything was shut down except for essential businesses and we were urged to stay home. Because of forward-thinking members, we were able to offer live online services, as we had the web stream already in place, and board and committee meetings were held virtually. The church was re-opened for in-person services on June 7, 2020 with restricted participation, everyone wearing masks and social distancing. This new way of worship continued into the spring of 2021. As the pandemic continued into a third year in 2022, we were fully open and many activities resumed, although they looked somewhat different as we acclimated to our new normal. A huge undertaking has been the remodeling and updating of the church kitchen. We hope to be able to put it to good use in the coming years.

Our the Scarecrow Festival returned on Saturday, September 24, 2023. This is our 15th Festival, resurning after several years, due to the Covid pandemic.

 

We will continue with one service of worship at 9:30A,  on Sunday, May 28, 2023, year-round, as was decided at our Annual Meeting on February 12, 2023. Sunday School will meet at 9:15A.

 

The Vision and Mission Statements proposed by the Pastoral Search Committee and recommended ny the Standing Committee were adopted at the September Church Meeting on September 10, 2023.

 

On November 12, 2023, we began the celebration of our 325th year with a service of dedication for a memorial in the annex garden. The slogan for our yearlong celebration was revealed: "Gathering in Faith since 1698".

 

Our church has been in existence for 325 years. With the same determination as those original members who stood on that “gravelly knoll” and decided this would be the place for their church, we continue in our respect for the past and its traditions, and look forward to the promise of the future and meeting the needs of our changing church community.

 

 

Sue Brosnan - Clerk

WE ARE CELEBRATING OUR

325th ANNIVERSARY

1698 - 2023

The memorial in the garden at the annex was dedicated on November 12th and

the winning slogan was announced:

"Gathering in Faith since 1698".

Join us as we celebrate throughout the coming year!

 

A Ladies' Tea will be held on Saturday, May 11th at 11A. There will be a special guest:

"Her Majesty:

Queen Elizabeth II.

 

A day trip to

Plimoth Patuxet

Museums is planned for Wednesday, June 26th.

Members & Friends:

The Clothing Shed is open.

Please place donations in bags and tie them.

We accept all soft goods: clothing, shoes, blankets, curtains, towels, etc.

Thank you

The BOOK BIN has been placed in the lower parking lot, next to the Clothing Bin. Help us recycle your unneeded books and get them into hands that can use them and keep them out of landfills!

 

The Food Pantry is open Wednesday, March 20th

10A -Noon and Sunday, March 24th following our service, for our church family.

 

INCLEMENT WEATHER CANCELLATIONS
TUNE IN to Television Channel 3 (WFSB) or you may check our Facebook page or this
website, or call the office

(860 887-4647). A message
will be announced on the answering machine.

When Sunday School is
cancelled, church is NOT CANCELLED unless specifically
announced. We have been assured that when we post on Channel 3, they notify all the local radio stations.

Are you receiving our email newsletter?

Please send an email to the church office at pccc@snet.net to let us know that you would like to be added to the email mailing list. Thank You and Welcome!

The newsletter comes out during the first and third weeks of the month.

Click the Donate Now button above to connect with our

on-line giving.

Contact Us

Preston City Congregational Church

 

321 Route 164

Preston, CT 06365

 

Office: (860) 886-7200 

Phone: (860) 887-4647

Fax: (860) 887-4647

 

email: pccc@snet.net

 

Office hours are 9A -12P, M-F

 

"Where Friends

Become

Family"



Sunday Worship: 9:30A

 

We are handicap accessible.

Click on the icon above for live webstreaming of our worship service and a viewable archive of past services!

Website contact:

Northeast Fellowship Website:nefellowship.org

 

National Association website: www.naccc.org