Poquonock Community Church, Congregational

Scripture of the Month: “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42-47

Poquonock Community Church, Congregational

Historically, Poquonock Community Church is actually the Second Congregational Church of Poquonock, founded June 2, 1841. The "First Church" was founded in 1726 and lasted until 1820. At that point, unfortunately, the "First Church" entered a very dark period of intemperance and a loss of morals. The meetinghouse was literally left "to rack and ruin."

Early in 1840, a Rev. Hempstead (Old records do not give us a first name) was the first to suggest the formation of "Second Church." The response to his suggestion was much less than enthusiastic. Later that same year, a highly motivational speaker arrived on the scene, named John Ripley Adams.

An ordained minister, Rev. Adams was the great-grandson of John Adams, Second U. S. President, and therefore, grandson of our Sixth U. S. President, John Quincy Adams. By the following spring, Rev. Adams led the people in founding the Second Congregational Church of Poquonock. Rev. Adams' pastorate was the shortest in our church's history, less than a year, but it will always be the most far-reaching. Were it not for his first pastorate, everything that took place since then could not have otherwise happened.

The meeting house was constructed and the church was officially dedicated on April 12, 1854. Horace Bushnell was one of the honored guests at this dedication.

Over the years, three pastors have served what could be called "Long Pastorates." William Carr served 1907 - 1922 (15 Years); Victor Greenwood served 1922 - 1938 (16 Years); and James Silver served 1968 - 1999 (30 Years, 9 months), the longest pastorate in our church's history.

Special mention should be made of Pastor Nathan Merwin (1889 - 1898). Several years into his retirement, his wife died. Mrs. Merwin had been so much loved by the church family that Pastor Merwin gave our church the gift of electricity. Meetings, socials and other gatherings could now take place at night instead of being restricted to daylight hours.

Women have always played a significant role in the success of the church. Within one month of its founding, June 2, the women organized themselves and got involved in various projects to make money for church maintenance and decorative up-keep. That energy and dedication continues to this very day. In addition, women hold several key positions in the hierarchy of the church family.

Over time, the Second Congregation Church of Poquonock expanded its outreach into the community. As a result, an act of the Connecticut Legislature officially changed its name, in 1924, to Poquonock Community Church, Congregational.

On October 3, 1979, a tornado ripped through Windsor and Windsor Locks, leveling several homes, seriously damaging the Bradley Air Museum, and destroying the historic meetinghouse of Poquonock Community Church. Miraculously, all but one of the art deco windows from the old church were salvaged and placed in the new sanctuary, which was dedicated in 1980, along with an expanded fellowship hall (named for Rev. Robertson, who died while pastor of PCC in 1964).