"Let us then, as we reflect this day upon all that the founders of the First Church in New London have transmitted to us, engrave upon the tablets of our memories these further words of the great Emancipator, 'It is for us, the living, rather, to be here dedicated to the unfinished work which they who fought here, have thus far so nobly advanced.'"

-From the Tercentenary Sermon delivered May 10th, 1942, by the Rev. George Avery Neeld.

Historical Information

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Please check out the special pages of two of our pastors:

            Rev. Clark Poling (one of the Four Immortal Chaplains)

            Rev. Abel McEwen

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This page provides a historical background of the church starting from 1642.  This includes special events and information during each of the ministers' pastorates.  Most information is taken from the book The First Church of Christ in New London; Three Hundredth Anniversary; 1642-1942, published by the First Church of Christ, New London, in 1946, and printed at the press of the New London Printing Company.

Pastorates

Richard Blinman, 1642-1658 - fled from persecution in England.
Gershom Bulkeley, 1661-1665 - minister and chief founder of Concord, Mass.
Simon Bradstreet, 1666-1683 - son of a Massachusetts governor.
Gurdon Saltonstall, 1691-1708 - became governor of Connecticut.
Eliphalet Adams, 1708-1753 - ministered to Indians in their own language.
Mather Byles, Jr., 1757-1768 - surprised the congregation by converting faiths!
Ephraim Woodbridge, 1769-1776 - strong opponent of the Halfway Covenant.
The Interim Period, 1776-1787 (The Revolutionary War)
Henry Channing, 1787-1806 - uncle of the founder of American Unitarianism.
Abel McEwen, 1806-1860 - committed to the revival of Congregationalism.
Thomas P. Field, 1860-1876 - eloquent Civil War minister.
Edward Woolsey Bacon, 1877-1886 - scholarly preacher and able pastor.
S. Leroy Blake, 1887-1902 - wrote a "must-read" 2-volume of First Church.
J. Romeyn Danforth, 1903-1940 - poetic preacher, beloved by all.

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We do not have much documented information on the pastors after Rev. Danforth, but we list them here as the more recent pastors of First Church.

George Avery Neeld, 1941-1947 - born of missionary parents in India; a mature Christian thinker.

S. Read Chatterton, 1947-1952 - a solid preacher who could match a face with a name and occupation after just one encounter.

John R. deSousa, 1953-1957 - His short stature belied his power as a preacher. He urged term limits for board members and officers. Left to become state conference Minister of Men and Missions. 

Robert Y. Johnson, 1957-1971 - A pastor who could have taught religion 
in seminary; preached to a strong congregation.

James F. Burdorf, 1972-1984 - a strong, loving pastor; beloved by his congregation.

Robert C. Hamm, 1985-1989 - Born of missionary parents in the 
Philippines, Rev. Hamm ("Rob") helped this congregation revitalize itself, 
building on forgotten strengths in a time of challenge.

Allen H. Hermansader, 1990-1996 - Led congregation in a year-long 
celebration of its 350th anniversary; committed to "telling the story" of the gospel.

William B. Willis, Jr. Ph.D, 1997-1998

David M. Hammett, 2001-