In 1712, the First Ecclesiastical Society of Coventry was organized. Three years later, the first church building was erected on the green facing Coventry Lake (Lake Wangumbaug). This building site is on High Street, across from Patriot’s Park. The building was 32 feet wide and 36 feet long, made of wood.
In 1804, the Hale donation was founded by Mrs. Sarah Hale in honor of, and at the request of her husband, Major John Hale. The original gift was one thousand pounds, estimated at around four thousand dollars. The income of the fund has aided young men to get their training for the ministry. It also founded the Hale Library.
In 1849, the church divided, forming the First Church and the Village Church. In the same year, the Sunday school began, the original church building was turned ¼ turn to face the green, a bell was purchased, and John Boynton donated land (present site) for the building of the Village Church. The dove located over the clock is the only relic from the original church.
In 1866, the tower of the original church was torn down, and the bell was sold to the First Church of Mansfield. Also in that year, the First Church and the Village Church united.
In 1892, the Ladies Association was organized.
In 1897, the original church was destroyed by fire.
In 1904, the spire of the present church was struck by lightning. It was rebuilt the same year, and the bell was recast with the following inscription molded into it:
Prov 8:4 "UNTO, THEE A MAN, I CALL AND MY VOICE IS UNTO THE SONS OF MEN."
In 1912, the First Congregational Church of Coventry celebrated its Bicentennial.
In 1930, the Church was rededicated.
In 1937, an organ was purchased.
Most of the history of the First Church has, unfortunately, been lost from the years 1937 to 1965.
Church Lane ran from Main Street along the south side of the present meeting house. There were two houses behind the meeting house, the Kenyon property and the Lang property. The Church bought the Kenyon property in 1969, which provided parking space. Also in 1969, the steeple was again struck by lightning and badly damaged. The Kenyon house, then called the Church Lane House was used for church school and community services until it was torn down in 1985.
In 1972, the church bought the Burnham property, and tore it down.
In 1973, the current minister, The Reverend Doctor Bruce J. Johnson was called by unanimous vote of the congregation.
In 1975, a committee was formed to put on dinners once per month. The tradition continues today, the general fund benefiting from the proceeds from the dinners.
In 1982, the church bought the Lang property, and converted it into rental apartments.
In 1984, the church bought the Smith property and moved it next to the Lang house. It now provides more rental apartments and the headquarters for Human Growth Services.
From 1985 – 1987, a construction project was undertaken to build a new wing off of the meeting house, called the Center for Christian Education. It currently houses the Sunday School, Social Hall, Church Offices, and provides space for the Coventry Early Educational Development (CEED) Program as well as the Coventry Nursery School.
From 1987 to the present, the First Church of Coventry continues to thrive under the leadership of The Reverend Doctor Bruce J. Johnson and the Church Boards and Committees. First Church has a very active membership who work together to promote the day to day operations of its various ministries.
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