First Congregational Church of East Hartford - East Hartford, Connecticut - This Old Church on Waymarking.com

"The First Congregational Church of East Hartford is a large frame Greek Revival Church built in 1835. It sits close to the street on a busy corner, the intersection of Main Street and Connecticut Boulevard, a major route across the river to Hartford. Most of the nearby buildings are low 20th-century commercial blocks, but sharing the large lot with the church is the parsonage, built sometime in the 1850's.

The main part of the church is rectangular in plan 60 x 76', the equivalent of 2½ stories high, with the ridge of the roof perpendicular to Main Street. The east gable end is brought forward to form the pediment of a portico, supported by six fluted Ionic columns on stone bases. The columns rest on a platform which is constructed of large granite blocks, as are several steps leading up to the portico. The rest of the foundation is brick. The main facade within the portico is five bays wide, with three entrance ways flanked by a window at either end and five corresponding windows on the second level. The side facades show two tiers of four windows, and the rear or west gable has two quarter round windows. Above the asphalt-shingled roof rises a square two-stage tower, positioned just behind the portico. The first stage is a belfry with corner pilasters and two plain columns in antis within a louvered opening on each side. The second stage is similar but smaller, and has four clock faces. Both stages terminate with wooden Greek parapets...

The church has several additions to the rear. These are all smaller and lower than the main building and are not obtrusive. The first of these is the 1888 chapel, now used for offices. Herein is a stained-glass rose window in memory of Samuel Pitkin, a deacon and first superintendent of the Sunday School. Immediately west, and also used for offices, is ,an earlier 1867 chapel, moved back when the later one was built, and lastly is the present modern chapel.

In 1876 the interior was severely damaged by fire and completely redone, so that everything inside, with the possible exception of the gallery seats, dates from that year or later." - National Register Nomination

The building continues to serve its active congregation. The church is now associated with the United Church of Christ

Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 01/01/1930 Age of Church building determined by?: Cornerstone or plaque If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: Congregational If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Sunday Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: 10:00 AM Street address of Church: 837 Main Street East Hartford, Connecticut Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link] Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link] If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: Not listed

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