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First Congregational Church of Litchfield collection

2006-18-0

 Collection
Identifier: 2006-18-0

Scope and Contents

The First Congregational Church of Litchfield collection provides documentation on the church from 1845-1999, although the church was founded in 1721. The collection brings together records given by the church and a number of other donors, and includes annual reports; addresses, sermons, and discourses; several editions of the church manual and membership roll; Sunday School Library catalogue (1859) and records; histories; photographs; financial records; correspondence; and other records. There is extensive documentation of the church's colonial revival restoration, 1926-1930, including architectural plans, drawings, notes, bids, correspondence, and related papers. 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.

Dates

  • created: 1845-1999
  • Other: Date acquired: 12/07/2006

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Extent

16.00 Linear Feet

6 document boxes, 1 record storage box, and 3 flat file drawers. other_unmapped

Language of Materials

English

Physical Access Requirements

Architectural drawings are available by appointment due to storage conditions.

Source of Acquisition

First Congregational Church of Litchfield

Method of Acquisition

Gift

Accruals and Additions

The First Congregational Church of Litchfield collection has been assembled by the Litchfield Historical Society. It includes records donated by the church regarding the 1926-1929 restoration in 2006 (2006-18-0) and donations made in prior years. It also includes gifts made by individuals.

Existence and Location of Originals

multi-part note content

Other Descriptive Information

This collection was processed with support from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

Title
First Congregational Church of Litchfield collection
Author
Leith Johnson
Date
06/12/2010
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Litchfield Historical Society Repository

Contact:
7 South Street
P.O. Box 385
Litchfield CT 06759
860-567-4501
860-567-3565 (Fax)