Potapoug Quarter, originally part of Saybrook, established its own church, Saybrook’s Second Ecclesiastical Society, in 1722 in the area of Center Saybrook, now called Centerbrook. A church, built in 1724, was renovated in 1757. The current Centerbrook Congregational Church was built in 1790-1792 and the old building was sold to Capt. Benjamin Williams and moved to the Williams family’s wharf. In 1839, the current church underwent major renovations, including the construction of a new steeple and the rotation of the originally west-facing building to face south. The adjacent Essex Borough established a separate Congregational church in 1851; the following year became part of the new town of Old Saybrook; and in 1854 became a separate town of Essex. In 1859, Centerbrook, with its much earlier church, and West Centerbrook (Ivoryton) became part of the town of Essex.

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Centerbrook Congregational Church (1790)
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3 thoughts on “Centerbrook Congregational Church (1790)

  • July 23, 2017 at 11:59 pm
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    Do you have any information on the First Congregational church in
    Essex on 6 Methodist Hill? Also what year did a hurricane destroy the
    steeple?

  • August 14, 2017 at 4:06 pm
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    Please email me a pic of the First Congregational church located at
    6 Method Hill that shows the steeple before its destruction ( by a
    hurricaine )as we are tol. That is, if you can locate a picture.

  • August 14, 2017 at 10:23 pm
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    I don’t have access to a picture of that, but you could try contacting the church directly or the Essex Historical Society.

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