North Guilford Congregational Church Celebrates its Tricentennial
The North Guilford Congregational Church – United Church of Christ will be celebrating TWO historic events:
• The 304th Anniversary of the founding of the North Guilford Society in 1720, and
• The 300th Anniversary of the calling of the first pastor of the Church in 1724.
Everyone is invited to join us for this special celebration on Sunday, May 19, 2024, on Meeting House Hill (159 Ledge Hill Road), in beautiful North Guilford.
At 10:00 am, we will start in Old North Cemetery at the site of the First Meeting House and proceed into the Sanctuary for a Service of Thanksgiving and Commemoration. The service will include scenes presented by young people from the community depicting milestones in the Church’s history, and special music offered by the Church choir. Pastors who served the church previously, and many past choir members will also be joining with us.
Following the service, visitors can view special exhibits including a selection of antique tools used by settlers of North Guilford during the early 18th century, and a church timeline illustrated with historic photographs. An informal scavenger hunt will be held, followed by luncheon. At 2:00 pm a member-led tour of Guilford’s oldest cemetery (the Old North Cemetery) will take place.
Together, the two beautiful churches – the North Guilford Congregational Church and St. John’s Episcopal Church – are synonymous with “North Guilford,” and Meeting House Hill Historic District has been listed in the National Park Service’s National Register since 1987. Part of the day’s festivities will include the unveiling of an historic marker honoring that status.
Some Local History
In 1705, more than 65 years after the settling of Guilford, a group of farmers began clearing land in the northern part of town, trekking back and forth 10 miles each way, Monday through Friday. Soon, the men built a log cabin to stay in during the week, only going home to their families “downtown” (and to attend mandatory church service) on weekends. This cabin and the surrounding area were referred to as “Cohabit.”
In 1719 Guilford allowed the Cohabit farmers to establish a separate religious “Society” on what is now known as Meeting House Hill (then called the “Ledge in the Highway”). In May 1720, this permission was ratified by the General Assembly in Hartford. The first church building was constructed in 1723, and the first settled minister arrived in 1724 – three hundred years ago!
We truly hope you will come to Meeting House Hill on May 19th to help us celebrate 300 years of North Guilford history!
For more information, call the Church Office at 203-457-0581; or email us at [email protected]
Find us online: www.northguilforducc.org
Follow us on Facebook: North Guilford Congregational Church UCC
North Guilford Congregational Church, United Church of Christ
159 Ledge Hill Road, Guilford CT 06437
