OVER THE YEARS
A TIMELINE OF WESTFIELD'S HISTORYTHE NAMES OF WESTFIELD CHURCH OVER THE YEARS
THE FIRST CHURCH OF KELLINGLY
THE NEW CHURCH OF CHRIST IN THE WEST SOCIETY OF KILLINGLY
THE WESTFIELD ECCLES-IASTICAL SOCIETY
WESTFIELD CONGREG-ATIONAL CHURCH
WESTFIELD CONGREG-ATIONAL CHURCH, UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
WESTFIELD CHURCH
1715
Founded
John Fisk, a 1702 Harvard graduate, moved to “Kellingly” at the towns request in 1711 with the intent to establish a church. In 1715, the first meetinghouse was completed, and the First Church in Killingly was organized with ten male congregants. Fisk was ordained as its pastor.
1734
The Great Awakening Reaches Killingly
Church members known as “Separates,” influenced by revivals, request permission to start a church in South Killingly as a more convenient location. This congregation closed its doors in 2021.
1732
Mary Danielson & the Communion Cup
Mary Danielson donates a silver communion cup to the congregation, still in use today. In 2021, the congregation worked with the Witness Stones Project to learn that the Danielsons gained their wealth in part from the labor of enslaved people.
1744
New meeting house
A new, larger meetinghouse was needed. It’s building, however, wasn’t without challenges, and ultimately, it split the congregation.
1772
Regular church services discontinued
On the eve of the American Revolution, the First Church in Killingly discontinued regular services after a period of widespread religious declension and decline.
1796
A new beginning
A few former members started a new meeting house (church) building in the “west field,” now North Main St. Some mortgaged homes to raise $3,000 for a continuing support fund. Not yet an organized church and as such is unable to find a pastor. The 1732 Cup is returned to the congregation, cementing its connection to the First Church of Killingly.
1801
The Westfield Era Begins
New Church of Christ in the West Society of Killingly in the west field is organized. The congregation still has no pastor
1804
First Westfield Pastor
The name Westfield began to be used for church and community. Rev. Gordon Johnson (1804-1809) called as first pastor.
1812
The Rev. Roswell “Priest” Whitmore Arrives
Whitmore is the historian largely responsible for compling the extensive history of Westfield Church as we know it today. A formative figure for our church and community.
1854
Construction begins on Current Building
Built on land donated by Captain Samuel Reynolds, the current building was completed in 1855 and built to be a bookend of Main St and the showpiece of Danielson.
1901
Centennial celebration
Tiffany gives $3,000 toward $10,000 to build Parish House addition to church building. It won’t be completed for another twenty years.
1937
steeple and front of the church restored
Tiffany gives $3,000 toward $10,000 to build Parish House addition to church building. It won’t be completed for another twenty years.
1938
The Great Hurricane surprises New England
Less than a year after restoring the steeple, it was toppled by the Great Hurricane that took New England by surprise and devastated the region.
1960
Westfield formally joins the United Church of Christ
1970-1979
Westfield Village
In 1970, Westfield votes to sponsor first public housing project for the elderly in the community–Westfield Village. Building and development takes nearly a decade.
The Westfield Village Senior Housing complex is completed and dedicated in 1979.
2005
soul searching
Westfield enters a 7.5 year long interim period between settled pastors as it discerns its future.
2012
The Rev. Jonathan Chapman is Called
Originally from Georgia, Rev. Jonathan was called to a part-time position with the shared hope of making it full time within 5 years. That goal was reached in four.
2014
Westfield Votes to become Open and Affirming
2014
The ASpire Campaign Begins
After years of defered maintence, an agressive capital campaign is launched to rebuild the steeple, reroof the original building, and retore the historic interior.
2016
Construction begins, Steeple Stay 2016
The work begins funded by the Aspire Campaign. Funds raised on October 19–the day of our founding–as part of our Steeple Stay event top $55,000 in a day.
2017
celebrate five years of victorian christmas
2020
The Pandemic hits, and we launch our first-ever livestream
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Westfield Church
210 Main Street
Killingly, CT 06239
Mon-thur, 9a-12p
(860) 774-8438
OFFICE@WESTFIELDUCC.ORG