Second Church of Christ facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Second Church of Christ
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 277 Main St. Hartford, Connecticut |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1825 |
| Architect | Minard Lafever |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 78002836 |
| Added to NRHP | January 9, 1978 |
The Second Church of Christ, also known as the South Congregational Church, is a very old and important church in Hartford, Connecticut. It was built between 1825 and 1827. This makes it one of the oldest public buildings still standing in the city today.
This church is the third building for its group of worshippers. This group started way back in 1670. It is one of the oldest Congregationalist groups in the entire country. The building was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. This list recognizes important historical places in the United States.
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Exploring the Church's Design and Past
The South Congregational Church stands south of downtown Hartford. You can find it at the corner of Main and Buckingham Streets. It is a large, two-story building made of brick.
What Does the Church Look Like?
The front of the church has a grand Greek Revival style. It features four large columns, making it look like an ancient temple. The church also has a tall, detailed tower that rises above the building. Inside, the church was updated in the mid-1800s. An architect named Minard Lafever gave it a Greek Revival look.
A Long History: How the Church Began
When the Connecticut Colony was first settled in the 1630s, a leader named Rev. Thomas Hooker guided its religious groups. After he passed away in 1647, his church in Hartford faced some disagreements. These disagreements led to a split in 1670. Thirty-one members left to form the Second Church.
This new group says they follow Rev. Hooker's original agreement. They even have a copy of it written in his own hand! Their first two churches were built close to where the current one stands. The building you see today was built from 1825 to 1827. It was built on land that used to belong to the second minister, Thomas Buckingham.
Local builders Nathaniel Woodhouse and William Hayden constructed the church. It is one of only four public buildings in Hartford built before 1830 that are still standing. In 1847, a two-story brick section was added to the back and side. Joseph Camp designed this addition carefully to match the original building. A tornado in 1979 caused a lot of damage to this newer part.
See Also
