The Second Church in Norwich (West Farms, now known as Franklin) was organized January 4, 1718. Interestingly, the Ecclesiastical Society was formed two years earlier, in 1716. They held what may have been the first meeting on November 1, 1716, and voted on November 22, 1716, to build a meetinghouse. The Society held church services in Benjamin Peck's barn until the end of June 1717. In October 1718, Rev. Henry Willes was ordained and installed as pastor, marking the official birth of the church. Rev. Willes served the church for 32 years.
Rev. John Ellis was installed in 1752 as the next pastor. Rev. Ellis and two of his sons joined the Continental Army; Rev. Ellis enlisted as a Chaplain with the 8th Regiment at Norwich and is the only Chaplain known to serve for the full duration of the Revolutionary War. He was pastor of the church for 26 years.
Dr. Samuell Nott, the third pastor, served the church for over 70 years, the longest continuous pastorate on record in Connecticut. He was installed in March 1782. Dr. Nott had a very distinguished career and was an important influence in the ministry. Some of his notable achievements include: educating between 200-300 students in his home; establishing a town library of 300 volumes; catechizing the children in the town schools; serving two terms as moderator of the General Association; preaching before the General Assembly in Hartford; serving for eighteen years as President of the Norwich Missionary Society; serving as a member of the Missionary Society of Connecticut; and serving for many years as President of the Connecticut Bible Society.
High Points over the last 299 years include raising up:
Nearly 40 ministers, 13 of whom earned the Doctor of Divinity degree
30 missionaries, including Samuel Nott, Jr., one of the first five missionaries send out under the American Board
Two college presidents
One Vice President of the United States -- Lafayette Foster, United States Senator and President Pro-Tempore who became Vice President upon the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
For a complete history, click this link - The History of the Franklin Congregational Church
Rev. John Ellis was installed in 1752 as the next pastor. Rev. Ellis and two of his sons joined the Continental Army; Rev. Ellis enlisted as a Chaplain with the 8th Regiment at Norwich and is the only Chaplain known to serve for the full duration of the Revolutionary War. He was pastor of the church for 26 years.
Dr. Samuell Nott, the third pastor, served the church for over 70 years, the longest continuous pastorate on record in Connecticut. He was installed in March 1782. Dr. Nott had a very distinguished career and was an important influence in the ministry. Some of his notable achievements include: educating between 200-300 students in his home; establishing a town library of 300 volumes; catechizing the children in the town schools; serving two terms as moderator of the General Association; preaching before the General Assembly in Hartford; serving for eighteen years as President of the Norwich Missionary Society; serving as a member of the Missionary Society of Connecticut; and serving for many years as President of the Connecticut Bible Society.
High Points over the last 299 years include raising up:
Nearly 40 ministers, 13 of whom earned the Doctor of Divinity degree
30 missionaries, including Samuel Nott, Jr., one of the first five missionaries send out under the American Board
Two college presidents
One Vice President of the United States -- Lafayette Foster, United States Senator and President Pro-Tempore who became Vice President upon the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
For a complete history, click this link - The History of the Franklin Congregational Church
