Churches and Religious Organizations

Black and white photograph of Ebenezer Lutheran Church in 1896. The structure pictured above was partially rebuilt in 1916 after a fire. Photo courtesy of: Threadcity.us

Methodist Episcopal Church Postcard. Dated in 05/17/1907, courtesy of: Threadcity.us

Drawing of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in aerial view map of 1909. Courtesy of: Library of Congress

Drawing of St. Mary's Catholic Church from an aerial view map made in 1909. Courtesy of: Library of Congress

Colorized postcard of St.Paul's Episcopal Church, date unknown. Courtesy of: Threadcity.us

Colored postcard of the Baptist Church in Willimantic, dated to be prior to 1908. Postcard from: Ebay

Many of the fraternal orders had religious origins and rituals, but they often included members of multiple denominations. There were a dozen different Christian denominations with their own congregations within Willimantic, amongst other practicing faiths as well. These churches provided their members with an important form of socializing beyond weekly church services. The main churches in Willimantic were:

First Baptist Church, located at 10 Union and Main Street.

First Congregational Church, located at 199 Valley Street.

St. Paul's Episcopal Church, located at the corners of Valley and Walnut Streets.

Methodist Episcopal Church, located at 34 Church Street.

Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Ebenezer Church, located at the corner of Oak and Summit Streets.

St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, located at 99 Jackson Street.

St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, located at 47 Valley Street.

The First Society of Spiritualists, meeting in the Excelsior Hall of the Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company, at 19 Bank Street.

The A.M.E. Zion Church, located at 11 Union Street.

There was also a small Jewish community, whose synagogue would not be built for several more years.