Simon Bradstreet
1666-1683

    Rev. Bradstreet was the second son of Governor Simon Bradstreet of Massachusetts.  It was during this pastorate period that the Rogerene Movement had its beginnings.  He was opposed to the practice of the Half-way Covenant church membership, whereby persons were admitted to the sacrament of baptism for themselves or for their children, without making public profession of the Christian faith, and becoming identified with the church in full membership.

Interesting note!
Simon Bradstreet was deeply affected by the "dreadful comet" of 1681.  Many, at that time, believed that comets were a sign from God, and could have either good or bad meanings.  This 1681 comet caused great searchings of Bradstreet's heart.

    Church records begin from the day of Bradstreet's ordination, October 5, 1670.  They list 24 persons in full communion with the church on that date and embrace the names of Avery, Miner, Morgan, Meades, Douglas, Smith, Parker, Hough, Nichols, Royce, Prentice, Rogers, Gallup, Keeney, Coyte, and Lewis.

    During this time the first "daughter church" was founded at Stonington (Road Church) in 1674.  The Second Meeting House (Bradstreet) was built from 1680-1682, just west of the first one; it was destroyed by a fire in 1694.

    Bradstreet kept a Journal entitled "A Brief Record of Remarkable Providences and Accidents" (1664-1683); also wrote "Remembrances of the Greatest Changes in my Life."

    Bradstreet died in 1683.  The interim pastors from 1683-1691 were Edward Oakes and Thomas Barnet.