Our History - 1900-1951

A New Organization and Another New Church

October of 1912 marked the organization of the Women's Church Club. This group marks its anniversary this year and has a long record of service to the church and community.

In 1918, a movement was started to consolidate the Society and the church due to the fact that the town government had taken over most of the former civic responsibilities of the Society. The Society, however, voted to retain its separate identity. In 1920, the Society's records list the entire expenses for operating the church at $662.02.

In June 1921, the church building was struck by lightening and burned to the ground. Ten days later a special church meeting appointed a Soliciting committee comprised of Samuel Moody, Jane V. Schermerhorn, John H. Treadwell, Valina P. Treadwell, Mrs. Norris Hatch, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Knapp and George M. Nevius. At this time the church had a membership of 67.

The arrival of the Reverend A. G. Tippert stimulated the building program. A man of boundless energy, he enlisted the labors of people of all faiths and the new church began to take shape. The dedication was held on November 30, 1923. Mr. Tippert remained as pastor until 1925 when his resignation was accepted with deep regret by the people of the church.

The Town Changes and the Nation Goes to War

The construction of Lake Candlewood brought many summer developments into being and increased the number of people the church was to serve. The ministries of the Reverend and Mrs. A. G. Mathers marked a period of steady growth in church membership and activities. The Reverend S. Read Chatterton continued to expand church programs. Under his leadership, membership increased to over 120.

During the second World War, the church was served by the Reverend Orlo Bernard. Services were held in Town Hall to conserve fuel. An active committee kept in touch with the New Fairfield boys in the service. During Mr. Bernard's two-year ministry, twenty-six members were added to the membership list.

The Reverend Herman deAnguera became pastor of the church in November of 1944 and during the four and one-half years of his ministry the church began its greatest decade of growth. The church school expanded to a point where new facilities were contemplated and tentative plans for a parish house addition were drawn up. The Congregational Service Club was organized at this time by a group of women interested in the need for new church school facilities. The enthusiasm and financial endeavors of these women did much to stimulate the entire building program. Forty-seven new members were received into the church during Mr. deAnguera's ministry.

Standing on Our Own

The Reverend William Hindle began a short, but significant pastorate in 1949. Building on the foundation of his predecessors, Mr. Hindle brought the church to the point where it no longer required annual aid from the Missionary Society of Connecticut. On March 5, 1950 the long-pending merger of the church and the Ecclesiastical Society was consummated. Later that month, a new constitution and new by-laws were adopted by the church. The membership of the church increased by thirty during Mr. Hindle's pastorate.

Next: 1952 - Present