First Methodist Parsonage in New England - Ellington, CT
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 41° 55.888 W 072° 22.734
18T E 717314 N 4645489
The first Methodist Parsonage in New England has been re-located opposite the Community Methodist Church at 280 Sandy Beach Road in Ellington, CT.
Waymark Code: WM18ANN
Location: Connecticut, United States
Date Posted: 06/29/2023
Views: 0
Methodism was first introduced into New England in 1745 by the Reverend George Whitefield. However, no permanent churches were established. In 1790 the Methodist Bishop of Connecticut sent the Rev. Jesse Lee, a circuit rider preacher, to establish Methodist churches in Manchester, Tolland an Ellington, CT.
In order to attract a permanent pastor the residents of the Crystal Lake area of Ellington built, in 1791, a parsonage for the Rev. Jesse Lee to stay when he visited Ellington. This historic building is recognized as the first Methodist parsonage in New England. A permanent church in Ellington was subsequently built in 1792 next to the parsonage.
A sign over the east facing entrance is inscribed:
First
Methodist Parsonage
of New England
---
Built in 1791
Below is the circuit rider emblem of the Methodist church. it is inscribed:
UNITED METHODIST
HISTORIC SITE
NO. 331
The church sold the parsonage in 1816 and the house. The last owner left in 1964 and the parsonage was moved across the street from the church. Currently it has been restored and plans are being made to converted the parsonage into a museum.