Title

Easton, Christ Church

Description

CHRIST CHURCH, 1762-1763, Easton Center, Easton, Fairfield County.
Organized 1762-1763 as an SPG mission. First church erected November 1762, known as Gilbert-town Church. Described as a rude, wooden-frame structure, never completely finished, not painted or plastered. The building had large galleries on three sides, and two tiers of windows, one below and one above the galleries, but was destroyed by fire, 1850. A replacement church building was constructed 1873, consecrated December 1874, near Academy at Easton Center. A wooden-frame building, neo-Gothic architecture, with tower and one bell. First settled clergyman, The Reverend Philo Shelton, first rector, 1784-1812. Graduate of Yale College 1778, the first man ordained by Bishop Samuel Seabury of Connecticut. The parish has always been rather small and has experienced several changes of name. At first it was called the Episcopal Society of North Fairfield, and church was called the North Fairfield Episcopal Church at Gilbert-town. After incorporation of the Town of Weston, 1787, parish became Episcopal Society of Weston, including the present Weston and Easton. After incorporation of town of Easton, 1845, name changed to Christ Episcopal Church, Easton, by act of the general assembly, 1851. The Christ Church congregation in Easton eventually would outgrow the small church building on Westport Road which was de-sanctified, becoming a private residence. Christ Church's current building was dedicated in 1959.

Creator

Episcopal Church in Connecticut

Identifier

Easton, Christ Church 

Access Rights

Authorization to use or reproduce this digital image or work requires written copyright permission from the Archives of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut.

Founding Date

1762-04-15