Our Story
We’ve been the Heart of Bloomfield for Centuries.
Welcome! We’re glad you’re here!
Bloomfield Congregational Church is sustained by faith in God and Jesus Christ as the Son of God, who is head of the Church. Whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey you are welcome here. We are a church of inclusiveness, racially integrated, Open and Affirming, and welcoming of gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual brothers and sisters. Each congregation is self-governing and elects its own ministers and leadership.
The Reverend Shawn Fisher came with his family in 2018 to pastor the church. Under his leadership it has continued to grow in numbers, offer new programs, strengthen our outreach ministries, explore new, multi-generational worship ideas; and become an essential part of the community of Bloomfield and beyond.
Brief History of the Bloomfield Church
The first church looked like an ordinary barn, and its first minister was Hezekiah Bissell, a new Yale graduate. His entire ministry was here and he is buried in a box tomb on the old cemetery.
In 1801 a white steeple church was built, and then the present church in 1858. The pews are still partially stuffed with newspapers from that year. The church favored abolition, and since the Civil war has stood as a beacon of faith and welcome to all people in times of war and peace, natural disasters, joys, struggles and concerns in America.
Bloomfield was a farming community well into the 1900’s and the hub of town social life. After WWII the Rev. Roscoe Metzger, a veteran chaplain was hired to lead the church. He stayed for thirty-one years of unprecedented church and community growth.
A parish house and Fellowship Hall were added in 1958, primarily with funds given by Philip Gale to be used for the good of the community. It is a gathering place for Boy Scouts, Alcoholics Anonymous, community meal programs, the Child Development Center, as well as for dinners, church and community meetings, educational events, wedding receptions and parties. The original beautiful sanctuary is just a few steps away and host to weekly worship, weddings, memorial services, musical events, and interfaith services.
In 1957 the Congregational Church became part of the United Church of Christ joining with the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the General Council of the Congregational Christian Churches.
History of Congregationalism in New England
Congregationalists were among the first Americans to take a stand against slavery. In 1785 Lemuel Haynes was the first African American ordained by a Protestant denomination. Antoinette Brown was the first woman ordained as a Christian minister and perhaps the first woman elected to serve a Christian congregation as pastor. In 1972 the Rev William Johnson was ordained as the first openly gay minister of a mainline Protestant denomination, and in 1976 the General Synod of the United Church of Christ elected the Rev Joseph Evans as president. He became the first African American leader of a racially integrated mainline church in America.
The Congregational Church in America dates back to the early 1600’s with the arrival of the Puritans from England, and initially settling in Massachusetts. At first the church and town were as one, with the church supported by town taxes. The town made rules about the running of the church. Residents attended weekly services, and because winter travel was difficult, the State legislature approved building a branch of the Windsor church in what is now Wintonbury (Bloomfield). Church was an all-day affair with two hour sermons.
Our Mission
Our Vision
Led by the Spirit, following the teachings of Jesus and in covenant with God and one another, our vision is to be a church that:
- Welcomes all people, cherishing the wide range of gifts and beliefs that strengthen and enrich our faith community,
- Shows our love for one another, our neighbors and our world through action and outreach,
- Embraces and encourages each individual journey of faith while growing in grace together,
- Celebrates the breadth of our diversity while seeking unity through Worship, fellowship and prayer,
- Acts as responsible stewards of God’s creation.
We are a spiritual home and sanctuary for all, whoever and wherever they are on life’s journey.
We are an Open and Affirming Congregation.
That means, you’re welcome here. Seriously.
The First Congregational Church in Bloomfield, UCC, engages and supports all people through worship, fellowship, learning and service so that all may find in this community the Spirit of the Living Christ.
In this spirit we declare that this church is Open and Affirming. We welcome persons of every age, gender, gender identity and gender expression, sexual orientation, race, national origin, faith background, marital status and family structure, mental and physical ability, economic and social status and educational background.
We invite all into the sanctuary of our fellowship and the full life and ministry of our church.