May 17, 2012First Congregational Church
Located at 317 East Third Street
Nine men and women, under the guidance of the Rev. John Spencer, a circuit rider of the Connecticut Missionary Society, formed the First Congregational Church and Society on June 16, 1816. This was the first organized congregation in Jamestown. Earliest meetings were held in a schoolhouse at the southwest corner of Main and Fifth Streets, where in 1829, a church was built. It served until 1869, when this Gothic style edifice was erected. This is the oldest church building in Jamestown.
In 1887, transepts were added to the nave, opera seats replaced the pews, and a meeting room and kitchen were added. In 1889, Mrs. Prendergast gave the large lighted stained glass Prendergast window in memory of her husband, Judge Alexander Prendergast, only son of James Prendergast. In 1911, the east wing was built for educational purposes. The church added a new manse on East Fourth Street in 1917. In 1921, an Austin pipe organ was installed in memory of Elliot C. Hall by the Hall family. In 1952, an education building and chapel were erected to connect with both the church building and the manse. The latter was converted in to the Alfred E. Randell Parish House for offices and meeting rooms.
The congregation has been a member of The United Church of Christ since 1961.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, ORGANIZED JUNE 16, 1816. JAMESTOWN'S FIRST RELIGIOUS SOCIETY MET AT MAIN AND FIFTH STREETS WHERE A CHURCH BUILT IN 1829 SERVED UNTIL THIS GOTHIC EDIFACE WAS ERECTED IN 1869. THIS IS THE OLDEST CHURCH BUILDING IN JAMESTOWN.