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The Congregational Church of Plainville, UCC’s historic building and steeple, predating the town of Plainville itself, has defined Plainville’s skyline for more than 174 years. Existing as one of Plainville’s most architecturally significant structures, the quintessential building welcomes those driving from the west to Plainville. The steeple’s clock has provided time for the people of Plainville for years. The steeple’s carillon bells have sung hymns to our neighbors for decades.
In 1840 twenty-one people were received into the congregation of the Plainville Congregational Society. In 1849 plans for a larger, more attractive house of worship took form. The church structure, designed by prominent 19th century architect Henry Austin, was constructed in 1850 as the Second Congregational Church of Farmington. That meeting house, dedicated on July 31, 1850, in its present location became known as The Congregational Church of Plainville. In July 2025, the House of Worship turned 175 years old.
The church has been an important focal point for local, and occasionally national history. On May 25, 1874, Susan B. Anthony spoke to an audience of 100 people in the sanctuary of the church. A diary entry, found in the Library of Congress, speaks of the event. On September 23, 1929, Major John Coolidge, son of President Calvin Coolidge, and Florence Trumbull, daughter of Connecticut Governor John Trumbull, were married at the church. The wedding was considered the social event of the year and touted as “The Wedding of the Century”.
In the 1960’s the Church was instrumental in organizing the Plainville Human Relations Council. This group started such programs as the Fresh Air Fund and housing for low and moderate-income families, such as the Castle Apartments named in honor of Henry A. Castle. Another product of the Plainville Human Relations Council was the creation of the Plainville Community Food Pantry. In 1972 the Plainville Community Food Pantry started as a small operation in the church building serving Plainville families until 1983 when the program outgrew the space. In addition to being a gathering place for various recovery groups, the Congregational Church currently houses the Plainville Early Learning Center, which has called the building home and served hundreds of local families for nearly 55 years.
In 2011, the church sustained a mighty blow when the roof over the community hall and part of the kitchen collapsed under the weight of ice and snow and significant portions of the basement flooded leaving rooms rendered unusable. Church members and the Plainville Community rallied to Raise the Roof once again over the historic building with the rebuild being completed in 2013. Now in the new decade, when the steeple clock stopped running, a thorough investigation as to why was completed by engineers and architects who specialize in historic preservation. Several issues were uncovered, and a multi-phase plan was developed to preserve the steeple.
To make preservation of the steeple possible, the Church is utilizing two approaches, one is through grants and the other is an ambitious capital campaign.
On July 31, 2024, the Save Our Steeple Capital Campaign was kicked off to raise the $300,000 in funds needed to repair the steeple. Excited and grateful that Phase One of the emergency repairs were completed in December of 2024, the church now looks ahead to more extensive Phase Two repairs planned for 2026 and the Save Our Steeple Capital Campaign remains ongoing.
At this time, we are asking that you please donate to our campaign. Even the smallest of donations can add up.
If you would like to contribute to help Save Our Steeple, please use one of the methods listed below.
There are a variety of ways to make your gift for our Save Our Steeple capital campaign.
1. Cash/Check – paid immediately. If you wish and are able, giving your pledge all at once at the beginning of our Save Our Steeple capital campaign will help us begin various projects immediately.
2. Cash/Check – pledged and paid over a year. Pledge payments may be scheduled according to your needs and placed in the offering box or mailed to the church (write: “Save Our Steeple” in memo line of check).
Mail all checks to: The Congregational Church of Plainville, UCC, 130 West Main Street, Plainville, CT 06062
3. Electronic Funds Transfer – No computer or technical skill is needed. Simply fill out an Electronic Funds Transfer form to set up automatic contributions from your checking or savings account. Monthly or quarterly giving options are available.
4. Online Giving – Use our secure online giving platform to set up an online donation. Choose the Save Our Steeple option in your designation. Click the button below to be taken to our online giving page.
