Congregational Clone (1849-1968)

Welcome back, Monroe history lovers. Our last historical spotlight took us to Monroe Center, where we discovered the ecclesiastical history of our town, and the history of the Monroe Congregational Church. Well, this week we’re right back in the same location, — sort of. Come with me today as we discover a spiritual parallel universe just 12 miles south of the Monroe Congregational Church. I’ll be honest with you. This is new history to me as well, having discovered it by coincidence while researching the architecture of the Monroe Congregational Church. It was just too interesting not to share with all of you. I think you’ll like this.

Just two years following the construction of the current Monroe Congregational Church, the original Black Rock Congregational Church was constructed in 1849 at the northwest corner of Ellsworth Street and Bartram Avenue in the Black Rock District of Fairfield. The precise location is seen in our first supporting image. In 1870, this section of Fairfield was annexed to Bridgeport, the Black Rock name inspired by the consistent black color of the rocks along the neighboring harbor. Like the current Monroe Congregational Church, it was designed by Hotchkiss & Clark Co. in Derby, and is a near clone to the church at Monroe Center with the same restrained combination of Italianate and board-and-batten design. The remaining supporting images show the church building from the early 1900s up to 1950, when its spire was toppled during a hurricane, its weathervane piercing the sanctuary ceiling. The roof and ceiling were repaired, but the spire was never replaced. The church soldiered on into the 1960s.

Take a moment to study the fine architectural details, most of which are identical. Anyone could easily mistake it for our church at first glance. Very early photographs of the church at Monroe Center indicate that it too once had a similar notched embrasure detail about its belfry. Perhaps those missing details might someday be restored. The second Black Rock Congregational Church building, located today at 3685 Black Rock Turnpike in Fairfield, was dedicated on March 31st, 1968, and the original church, which stood for nearly 120 years just west of Brewster Cove, was leveled along with its adjoining hall. Today, the Coach Light South Apartments stand on the former church property.

I hope you enjoyed this week’s brief but unique historical spotlight on the original Black Rock Congregational Church, a near clone to our own Monroe Congregational Church — the original. Are there clones of Monroe’s other houses of worship out there in Connecticut or beyond? It makes you wonder now, doesn’t it? Keep your eyes peeled. Please share this post with your family and friends, and thank you for your continued support and interest in Monroe-related history. Until next time, study the photos, and what do we see? Same church, different congregation.

Regards,

Kevin Daly
Historian, Monroe Historical Society
www.monroecthistory.org
Our Past is Always Present