Abel McEwen
1806-1860

The records of First Congregational Church give specific dates of events starting from McEwen's ministry. 

Interesting note!

During McEwen's pastorate from 1806-1860, membership grew from about 200 to 728! 

    Abel McEwen descended from Scotch Covenanters.  President Timothy Dwight of Yale preaches the ordination sermon.  Half-way Covenant is done away with in Mr. McEwen's ministry, also marked improvement in moral and spiritual tone of church and community noted.

    1807 - Dwight's Psalms and Hymns adopted for use in public worship.  Mr. McEwen introduces week-day prayer meetings and religious instruction; encourages restoration of family worship; promotes improved observance of Sunday.

    1810 - A more evangelical Profession of Faith and Covenant drawn up by Mr. McEwen and accepted by the church - really a revision of the pre-Channing statement.

    1815 - Mr. McEwen prominent in orginating a more democratic association of the Congregational churches of New London County.

    1816 - July 28.  Beginning of Sunday School work in church and town with opening of a school at the home of Miss Matilda Wright.  Sessions are held in Conference House 1819; removed to the church in the early twenties.  Mr McEwen initiates movement to organize Domestic Missionary Society of Connecticut, to rehabilitate destitute and pastorless churches of the State.  In 1880 it is merged with the Missionary Society of Connecticut (established 1798).
    

Interesting note!

For more information on Abel McEwen, check out our other special page with pictures and words by our church Historian!
    1819 - Conference or Sessions House erected on site of present Parish House.

    1820 - The Oodooville Female Seminary in Cylon founded by Harriet Lathrop Winslow, a member of this church.  Her husband was the first missionary to Ceylon.

    1821 - Formation of New London Sewing Society in the church, working for both foreign and home missions.  Later became Ladies' Home Missionary Society to distinguish it from the Women's Foreign Missionary Society.

Interesting note!

For more information on the history of our organs, check out this page in our Music Department section!

    1825 - First organ installed in the church.  The money raised by subscription.  A service according to the rituals of the Roman Catholic Church conducted in the church by visiting French Bishop Chevereaux - and afternoon service.

    1826-1860 - Mr. McEwen a member of the Yale Corporation.

    1831 - A new bell (the 5th) purchased for the church.

    1835 - The Second Congregational Church in New London organized; the fourth daughter church.  Adopted the confession and covenant used by the parent church.  This church worshipped for six months (1834-35) in Second Church building before its dedication, while Channing Meeting House was undergoing repairs.

    1846 - Degree of D.D. conferred upon Mr. McEwen by Union College.

    1848 - A collection of Psalms and Hymns "recently compiled by a committee appointed by the general association of this state" substituted for Dwight's Psalm Book.

    1849-51 - The congregation worshipped in the Methodist Church (then at the corner of Union and Methodist Sts.) while the present church was being built.  Last service in Channing Meeting House held September 30, 1849, Dr. McEwen's sermon text being Psalm 102:14.

    1850-51 - Present church building erected - first to be of stone (local granite).  Cost about $43,000.00.  Architect Leopold Eidlitz, New York.  Provided with slip style pews, and a new organ (Hook and Hastings).

    1854 - Dr. McEwen relinquishes active ministry of church.

    1856 - Thomas P. Field, professor of English Literature in Amherst College, called to be associate pastor of the church.