Our History
Over 300 years of faith, community, and resilience
The story of the First Church of Christ, Congregational in Groton, Connecticut, now known as the Groton Congregational Church, begins in 1684, when Captain James Avery—an influential early settler—petitioned the General Court in Hartford to establish a Congregational Church in Groton. Though that initial request was denied, his son, Lieutenant James Avery, submitted a second petition in 1696. This time, it was approved, paving the way for the formation of a separate congregation in Groton. In 1702, the church was officially established, making it one of the oldest congregations in the state.
The town built the first meeting house in 1703 near the crossroads in Center Groton. As the congregation grew, so did its needs. In 1760, a second meeting house was constructed near Pleasant Valley and came to be known as the Kinne or Black Meeting House. However, tragedy struck on September 6, 1781, during the Battle of Groton Heights, when many of the male members of the church were killed or wounded defending Fort Griswold.
Despite loss and hardship, the church continued to grow and serve the community. In 1833, the third meeting house was built on Thames Street, where the congregation remained for nearly 70 years. In 1902, the current stone Meeting House was constructed at the corner of Monument and Meridian Streets. Built by the Marquardt brothers using local fieldstone, the church stands as a lasting symbol of strength, endurance, and faith.
Inside, the building holds treasures of historical and spiritual significance, including five stained glass windows—one of which was crafted by Tiffany Studios in New York. On the west wall, the Avery Memorial Window honors Capt. James Avery and was funded in part by the Rockefeller family, descendants of the Avery line. These elements serve as both artistic beauty and a testament to the generations who have worshipped, served, and grown in this space.
Today, the church remains active, welcoming, and forward-looking. We have celebrated both our bicentennial and tricentennial anniversaries within the current meeting house, each a reminder of God’s enduring presence and our deep-rooted commitment to this community. Our history is long and rich, but it is not finished—we continue to write it together, day by day, with faith, love, and hope for what lies ahead.