Browse the Newtown Congregational Church records in Newtown, Connecticut

The Newtown Congregational Church in Newtown, Connecticut was organized in 1714. The first settled minister was Rev. Thomas Tousey, who was ordained in 1715 and asked to be dismissed in 1724 over his salary. He stayed in the town and continued to be a member of the church and was the town physician. The second settled minister was Rev. John Beach. He was ordained in 1724 and dismissed in 1732. Beach converted to the Church of England and he founded Trinity Episcopal Church in Newtown in 1732. Rev. Elisha Kent took over the ministry in 1732 and was dismissed in 1743. In 1743, Rev. David Judson was ordained at Newtown and continued as the  minister until his death in 1776. The church did not ordain another minister until after the Revolutionary War ended. 

The first meetinghouse was constructed by 1723, and a steeple and bell were added in the 1760s. The meetinghouse was moved across the street in 1792 to accommodate the Episcopal Society. Newtown Congregational Church is active today and is a member of the United Church of Christ (UCC). 

This collection contains one volume of church records which include admissions, baptisms, marriages, deaths, and meeting notes, and one volume of ecclesiastical society records. 

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.