
Higganum United Methodist Church: Erected in 1862 this Greek Revival
style building stands just north of
Haddam Elementary School along Saybrook Road. Methodist circuit riders (traveling preachers) visited Haddam as early
as the 1780's and conducted services in the villages and outlying areas. In 1791 the first Methodist Society was
organized in the Burr District. Later a Methodist Society was formed in the village center of Haddam and a church built
in 1837 along Walkley Hill Road (no longer standing). In Higganum, the Methodists met in the old red schoolhouse until
it burned in 1857 and after five years of meeting in private homes built the present church.
Higganum Congregational Church: Since Higganum was first settled in the
1670s, residents had to travel to
Haddam Center to attend church. In 1844 Higganumites successfully petitioned to form their own ecclesiastical society
and took 135 members from the Haddam Congregational Church and their minister, the Reverend David Dudley Field. The
church edifice was completed in 1845 and is an excellent example of vernacular Greek Revival architecture. The
façade features a fully pedimented gable end topped by a two-stage bell tower. The sanctuary features beautiful
stained glass windows from the late 19th century. An addition from 1870 extends from the rear and houses the parish
hall, office and kitchen. For further information link to:
http://www.hccucc.org
St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church: Designed by Owen Brainerd, a Haddam native
and architect with Carrere
and Hastings in New York, St. Peter's combines the Gothic and Islamic Revival styles to create a fascinating
religious edifice. The church was built in 1887 to serve the growing number of Italian and Irish immigrants and
descendants drawn to Higganum's factories, including Clark Cutaway Harrow and Scovil Hoe. Prior to erecting the
church, Catholics met in private homes or attended St. Joseph's in Chester. This building was sold to private
owners provided that it not be used for religious services when in 1960 a new church was built on Maple Avenue.
St. Jame's Episcopal Church: Erected between 1871 and 1873, this Carpenter Gothic style church is located at
the intersection of Killingworth and Ponsett roads. Prominent local resident, Reverend William Clark Knowles held the
first service of the Ponsett Episcopal Church around 1866 following 5 years of providing Sunday School lessons in his
home. Reverend Knowles served as pastor of St. Jame's and Killingworth Emmanuel Episcopal churches for 36 years. He
died at the age of 92 in 1933. Knowles is also well known for his local history publication "By Gone Days of Ponsett"
which was published in 1914. For further
information link to: http://www.stjameshigganum.org
St. James Episcopal Church Parish House:
The southern portion of the parish house was originally erected as the Ponsett District Schoolhouse.
The First Congregational Church of Haddam: Located in the heart of Haddam
Village, the First Congregational Church of Haddam has a
long history dating back to the founding of the town.
In 1667 services were held in the house built for the minister near the burying ground. A few years later in 1670
the town voted to build a new Meetinghouse measuring 28 x 24 feet and by 1674 construction began.
(See Historical Marker - First Meetinghouse) A Meeting House in Colonial America served many different purposes
including public worship, church and town meetings, school meetings, courts, legislative assemblies and many other
public gatherings. Forty years later a second Meetinghouse was erected between 1718-1721 adjoining the burying yard
(30 mile island Plantation Cemetery). The third Meetinghouse was located further to the north along what is now
Walkley Hill Road at Meetinghouse Road. This new meetinghouse, much larger is size, measuring 45 x 65 feet, was dedicated
in 1771.
In 1847 a new church building was erected on the site of the present church, following the division of the
congregation into two groups and the founding of the Higganum Congregational Church. The Greek Revival style structure
was built by Lloyd E. Baldwin of Willimantic. In 1979 the structure suffered a disastrous fire and was
completely destroyed. The present church is a replica of the 1847 building and incorporates some granite blocks from
the historic structure. For further information link to:
http://www.haddamcongchurch.org
Old Baptist Church: The former Baptist Church of Christ, which was erected in 1833, stands on the east side
of Route 154 at the intersection of River Road. This Greek Revival style building replaced an earlier church which
stood across the street. In the mid- 18th century a group called "New Lights" or "Separatists" broke away from
the established church during the religious revival known as the Great Awakening. The group formed in Haddam was
considered a strict Congregational Society and joined with the East Hampton Baptists. The Shailer Family, the
predominant family of this area, comprised a large number of the church's membership. The Congregation was active
until 1907 when it closed its doors. The building was once more used as a church in 1913 when a former organist asked to
be married there. It remained empty for many years and was later converted into a pottery studio. Today it is a
private home.
Haddam Neck Congregational Church: This splendid Gothic Revival-style
church was erected in 1874 on a
bluff overlooking the Connecticut River. It was built with funds left by Edward Davis Clark with the provision that
the church be located near the school building (see Haddam Neck Schoolhouse). The builder was A.H. Allen of Portland
and the total cost of the building and site was $6000.
The history of the congregation dates back to 1740 when Haddam Neck residents, tired of having to travel across the
river to attend religious services, petitioned the Connecticut General Assembly to establish their own
ecclesiastical society. They were joined in this petition by the residents of Middle Haddam, a village of East
Hampton, located about 4 miles to the north along the Connecticut River. In 1744 permission was granted and the
first church building was erected on Hog Hill about half way between the two communities. This building was later
replaced in 1813 by another edifice near Hurd Park. Middle Haddam residents withdrew in 1855 to form their
own congregation, while Haddam Neck residents continued to meet in the old church. In 1873 they received the funds to
build a new building in Haddam Neck which was built at the foot of School House Hill. The small congregation continues
to this day and the church has had little modification except for the removal of the original pipe organ and installation
of a barrier free access ramp. For further information link to:
www.haddamneckcongregationalchurch.org