Browse the Church of Christ records in New Haven, Connecticut

The White Haven Church in New Haven, Connecticut was organized in 1742 after separating from the congregation at the First Church (now known as Center Church) in New Haven. The White Haven Church was created by members of First Church who preferred the New Lights’ revivalist preaching of the Great Awakening. The first minister at White Haven was Rev. Samuel Bird. He was ordained in 1751 and dismissed in 1768 due to ill health. The second settled minister was Rev. Jonathan Edwards (son of Rev. Jonathan Edwards) from 1769 until 1796 when Edwards left for Colebrook, Connecticut. 

The first meetinghouse was constructed in 1744. A new brick Federal-style church, still in use today, was completed in 1815 on the New Haven Green. During Edwards’ ministry in 1771, the Fair Haven Church split off from White Haven. In 1796 White Haven Church reunited with the congregation of Fair Haven Church and became known as the United Societies of White Haven and Fair Haven for a few years before changing the name again to North Church. The Third Church in New Haven united with the North Church in 1884 and became the United Church, which is their present name. The United Church on the Green is active and is a member of the United Church of Christ (UCC). 

This collection contains one volume of church records and two volumes of society records, which include admissions, dismissions, excommunications, baptisms, disciplinary records, financial records, and meeting notes. 

Materials in this collection have been digitized in partnership with the Connecticut State Library and have been made available through our New England's Hidden Histories project.