Groton Congregational Church: Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future

Founded in 1702, Groton Congregational Church has served as a steadfast beacon of faith, community, and tradition for more than three centuries. Our current church building, completed in 1902 and proudly listed on the National Register of Historic Places, stands as a testament to New England’s enduring spiritual and architectural heritage. With roots deep in the region’s history, our congregation continues to welcome all who seek a place of worship, reflection, and community connection.

Inside, you’ll find the warmth of original wood pews with comfortable cushions, awe-inspiring stained glass windows, and the rich sound of a classic pipe organ—all creating a sacred and timeless atmosphere. Yet while we cherish our history, we also look forward with a vibrant vision for the 21st century—one that honors tradition while welcoming innovation and growth in our faith community.

A Legacy of Music: The M.P. Moeller Pipe Organ

In 1963, a dedicated group of church members journeyed to Hagerstown, Maryland, to find a new organ worthy of our sanctuary. Their search led them to the exquisite M.P. Moeller Pipe Organ, Opus 9786. This remarkable instrument, featuring three manuals, 24 ranks, and 1,277 pipes, was installed later that year and has filled our church with music and spirit for over 60 years.

The organ, a centerpiece of our musical tradition, continues to inspire worship with its rich tones and elegant presence. The photo at right captures the organ just after its initial installation—a proud moment in our church’s history.

Music plays a vital role in the life of Groton Congregational Church. Our senior choir leads Sunday worship with heartfelt song, and we regularly host special concerts in our beautiful sanctuary, welcoming the community to share in the joy of sacred music.

Preserving a Sacred Sound: Help Us Restore Our Historic Pipe Organ

In 2024, the organ required extensive repairs to the pneumatic system inside the console. The Foley-Baker Organ Company completed the initial work, but discovered another pressing issue: the pneumatically controlled swell shades—vital for adjusting the organ’s volume—are no longer functioning. Without these, the dynamic control of the organ is lost.

The cost to fully restore the swell shades is estimated at $38,000. We have an established organ repair fund with a current balance of approximately $6,000, and our goal is to raise the remaining funds to complete the restoration.

Recently, organ soloist Brian Hoffman performed a Bach concert on our Moeller organ as part of a fundraiser hosted with the New London County AGO, helping kickstart this campaign.

We invite you to be part of this restoration journey. Your gift helps sustain not only the sound of worship, but also the legacy of music, history, and craftsmanship that our church represents.

You may make a donation by using the QR code below. Our pipe organ, bought and installed in the 1960s, has served our congregation and community faithfully—and with your support, it will continue to do so for many years to come.