Gilead Congregational Church
United Church of Christ
Here are some significant dates in the history of our Church:
1747 Petition to separate from the Hebron Society granted
1748 Bounds of Parish laid out by the Colonial Legislature
1749 First Meeting House built where present one stands
1751-1797 First settled minister called – Rev. Elijah Lothrop
1798 Missionary Society of Connecticut organized in Hebron
1825 Church bell installed
1829 Sabbath School Association of Gilead formed
1838 Second Meeting House built (First Meeting House torn down)
1861 Parsonage Built
1889 Voted to organize a Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor
1892 Gilead and Hebron Churches formed a yoked Parish
1923 Women admitted to membership in the Ecclesiastical Society
1928 Electricity turned on at the Church (June 2, 1928)
1938 100th Anniversary of Church building celebrated with a historical pageant
1943 Dissolving of Ecclesiastical Society
1948 200th Anniversary of the Church building with a special service
1952 Dedication of the Sunday School Room addition
1961 Parish House purchased for Sunday School and Office use
1964 Men’s Fellowship organized
1970 Major remodeling of the Sanctuary following a fire in 1969
1973 Yoked Parish dissolved
1995 Restoration and renovation of the Austin pipe organ
1998 Major renovation of the Parsonage
1998 First women minister called – Rev. Denise Esslinger
2006 Garage built at the Parsonage
2008 Fellowship Hall addition and renovations dedicated
2010 Part-time Minister of Mission position created
2012 Position expanded to Minister of Mission and Faith Formation
2013 Steeple repaired with windows and light installed
2014 Mortgage for building addition and renovations paid off
History