Pastorate of Richard Blinman
1642-1658

    Richard Blinman, non-Conformist minister of Chepstowe, Monmouthshire, England, founded the church in Gloucester, Massachusetts, in 1642; was pastor there until 1651, when he migrated with most of his congregation to New London (then Pequot Plantation); pastor here until 1658.  Also worked among Indians and preached at Mystic and Pawcatuck.  Returned to England in 1660.

Interesting note!

The James Avery house, consisting of his own house and the meeting house which was added on, was destroyed by a fire on July 20th, 1894.

    Worship first held in Robert Parke's barn (1651-1655), located on the southwest corner of Hempstead and Granite Streets.  First Meeting House built in 1655, in what is now Bulkeley Square; used until about 1682.  Purchased by James Avery in 1684 and moved to Poquonnock Plain, where he added it to the house which he had built in 1656.

    (The first minister of whom any mention is made in New London was the Rev. Thomas Peters, uncle of Mrs. James Winthrop, Jr.  He was the chaplain of the garrison at Saybrook, and was associated with John Winthrop, Jr. here in 1646 "for the better carrying on of the plantation.")

    Thomas Minor's Diary (1653-1684) begun, a valuable source book of the period.  Coming from England on the Arabella in 1630, Thomas Minor helped to found the towns of New London and Stonington, as well as the First Church at the latter place, of which he was a deacon.  Previously a member of the First Church of New London.