Church History
Built in 1794, First Church is a Federal style church and one of the only Federal style churches in the United States from its era in service today.
The First Ecclesiastical Society of Haddam East was formed in 1704, which served as both an organization for worship and governance. East Haddam was incorporated as a separate town from Haddam in 1734. By 1756, there were nearly 2,000 residents, with the Millington District as the most populated.
Venture Smith, a slave who purchased his freedom, moved to East Haddam in 1774 and became a successful entrepreneur.
The present First Church of Christ, Congregational, was built in 1794 by the First Ecclesiastical Society. The town built a separate meeting house from the church around 1795 atop Mt. Parnassas, then known as Town Hill.
