Organized in 1838, Church of the Redeemer, United Church of Christ is the fourth congregational church in New Haven. Originally named Chapel Street Congregational Church, it was formed after there was dissent at the Third Congregational Church when a new minister would not accept the “New Haven Theology” of Nathaniel Taylor who founded the church. Taylor rejected the idea of determinism in which God alone was responsible for all activities in the universe. He felt this was immoral because it contradicts the notions of freedom and choice, and thought God not immoral. In 1920, the church moved to its present location and its Federal style main sanctuary was added in 1951—appropriately reflecting Taylor’s ideas. Building upon the philosophical tenets of Nathaniel Taylor, the Church of the Redeemer strives to be an, “inclusive community committed to the worship of God, the work of justice, and the recognition of our common humanity in the struggles of life.”

Organized by Puritans in 1639 as the First Society of New Haven, Center Church on the Green is the congregation’s fourth meeting house site. Commonly referred to as Center Church, The First Church of Christ in New Haven was designed in the Federal style by renowned architect Ithiel Town and built between 1812-1814. Refined woodwork and historic enclosed pews are washed in light from the two rows of large windows flanking the sanctuary, which added warmth to the previously unheated space. The distinctive Tiffany stained glass window illustrates New Haven founder Rev. John Davenport preaching his first sermon to the first English settlers, who viewed the locale as the New Jerusalem on Long Island Sound.

Established in 1719, the North Guilford Congregational Church is the oldest continually used church in the town of Guilford. Considered to be one of Connecticut’s outstanding Federal style churches, its present structure was designed and built by local architect Abraham Coan between 1812 and 1814. The church was among the first to adopt a “square body” meetinghouse layout versus the traditional axial design with an elongated nave. Ornamented by a single Palladian window, its evenly-lit subdued interior embodies the nature of endeavoring equality sought within Congregational worship.