Abington Congregational Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Abington Congregational Church
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | CT 97, Abington, Connecticut, in town of Pomfret, Connecticut |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1751 |
| Architect | Edwin Fitch |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Greek Revival Vernacular |
| NRHP reference No. | 77001413 |
| Added to NRHP | September 19, 1977 |
The Abington Congregational Church is a really old and important church. It's located in the small village of Abington, which is part of Pomfret, Connecticut. This church was built way back in 1751!
This makes it the oldest church building in Connecticut that has been used for religious services without stopping. Because of its long history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
Contents
What Does the Church Look Like?
The Abington Congregational Church is in a quiet, rural area. It's a one-story building made of wood. It has a pointed roof and its outside walls are covered with overlapping wooden boards called clapboards.
The front of the church has a classic look. It has a triangular section at the top, like ancient Greek buildings. A tall, square tower rises above the main entrance.
A Look Back at the Church's History
How the Church Started
The church was built in 1751 for a group of people who wanted their own place to worship. The main church in Pomfret had grown too big. This church is special because it's one of the few buildings left from the 1700s that used a building method called "peg and beam construction." This was common in New England back then.
Changes Over Time
The church building was made much bigger and changed in the 1830s. This is when it got its current "Greek Revival" style. A builder named Edwin Fitch from Mansfield did this work.
Later, a house for the church's minister, called a parsonage, was built in 1851. A separate building for church activities, known as a parish hall, was added in 1951.
The Church Today
Today, the Abington Congregational Church is still an active place of worship. It's a member of the United Church of Christ. The church has a website[1] with interesting information. This includes old records that can help people learn about their family history or local events.
Cemeteries and History
The church has two cemeteries nearby. The "Old Cemetery" was used from 1760 to 1900. It has gravestones for 82 soldiers who fought in the American Revolutionary War. The "New Cemetery" has many grave markers from the American Civil War. It is still used today.
The church's website also lists all the Civil War veterans from Pomfret, Connecticut, and the army units they served in.
The Current Pastor
The current pastor of the church is Reverend Bruce A. Hedman. He has been serving the Abington church since 1988.
See also
- List of the oldest churches in the United States
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Windham County, Connecticut
