The First Ecclesiastical Society records primarily document financial matters related to the First Congregational Church of Litchfield, Conn. The collection consists of correspondence, accounts, memoranda and statements, orders, promissory notes, receipts, and other items. The First Congregational Church of Litchfield was founded in 1721. Its first minister was Timothy Collins, who served until 1751. Noted clergyman Lyman Beecher was the church's minister from 1810 to 1826. The first church building was constructed in 1723 or 1724 and was replaced by a new structure in 1761. A third church was built in 1829 north of the green. This building was moved and replaced in 1873 with a Gothic structure. In 1929, as part of the colonial revival movement in Litchfield, the 1829 church—which had been reused as an assembly hall and movie theater—was returned to the site and restored under the supervision of architect Richard H. Dana. The church's business and legal affairs were managed by the First Ecclesiastical Society, which was founded in 1768. The church itself was incorporated in 1907 and in 1941 the two entities were combined into one corporation. In 1960, the church became part of the United Church of Christ. The bulk of the records overlap the time of Rev. Beecher's tenure. Some are signed by him and pertain to his salary. There are several documents which relate to the installation of a new organ in 1828. There are also several documents regarding land acquisition and sale.