Danbury’s First Church Celebrates 330 Years

A Year-Long Birthday Party

A September 26 organ recital at 4 p.m. kicks off a year-long celebration of the First Congregational Church of Danbury’s 330th anniversary. Following the music, everyone is invited to a tour of our refurbished sanctuary and building, as well as some interesting trivia.

The next day, September 27 (10 a.m.) we will host a special service led by Rev. Bob Naylor – a former senior pastor – and Rev. Melinda Miko Keck, who once served here as an associate pastor.

While the service will briefly recognize the church’s historic ministry, Reverends Naylor and Keck will emphasize an imaginative new beginning for the church.

The scriptures for the service — Psalm 150 and I Corinthians 1:27 — will lead a serendipitous and inspiring time of worship. Join us to begin the 330th faith-based birthday party. (The graphics will give you a clue to how we will celebrate the Holy Spirit’s presence in our worship!)

Origin Story: Danbury and It’s First Church

Eighty years prior to American independence, eight hardy pioneers from Norwalk arrived at  this fair valley between hills in the Spring of 1684. The First Congregational Church of Danbury was founded in 1696 with a charter from the General Court, and a meetinghouse at the present-day intersection of Main and Wooster streets.

More than a simple church, temple or place of worship, this meetinghouse served as a place where the town government conducted its business and governance. Other groups used the meeting house for varied activities including quilting bees, court hearings, militia meetings and more.

It is fair to say that, while the flags of the civil authorities were displayed in the meetinghouse during the week, they were stowed away on Sunday mornings and replaced with the cross and the Bible for the Sunday worship service.

Who We Are — Founders, Leaders, Doers and Citizens

We are a community of people who seek to serve God the way that Jesus did: By working to make God’s vision of a peaceful, just and inclusive world a reality. We believe that God is still speaking in ways that are grounded in ancient Christian understandings, but which are fresh expressions of the Divine presence in contemporary life.

We open our doors to diverse Danbury organizations including:

• Concerts by the Danbury Music Centre, the Connecticut Master Chorale, Lumos Experiences and other performing arts organizations.
• Worship space for other church communities.
• Meeting room for Alcoholics Anonymous and Toastmasters.
• Practice studio for cultural dance groups.
• A thrift store that offers quality clothes, home goods and theatrical costumes well-below market rates. Families in crisis may access home goods and clothes at no cost.
• Art enrichment classes for children.
• Cultural enrichment and lessons by minority communities for their children and families.
• Office and meeting space for the Dorothy Day Hospitality House.
• Movie nights with meaningful discussion and social connection.

We are members of the United Church of Christ. Our faith is descended from the Pilgrims and Puritans. Our doors are open to anyone who seeks a safe community that accepts them as they are.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to learn more about our welcoming community.