The First Church in Windsor’s 1794 meetinghouse is situated on the north bank of the Farmington River in the Palisado Avenue Historic District. The congregation traces its roots to the English immigrants who crossed the Atlantic in 1630 on the ship Mary & John before removing to Windsor in 1635. This is the fourth church building occupied by the congregation. Originally it had a tall tower with a belfry and cupola attached to the front of the building. The tower was removed in 1844 when the classically-styled portico and columns were added and the steeple redesigned.
The church celebrated its 300th anniversary in 1930 with an elaborate pageant staged on the banks of the Farmington River, a 50-float parade, visiting dignitaries, special services, and a ball. Significant efforts were made in the 1960s to restore hand carved wooden details, replicate hardware on the pew slip doors, and repair the forty-foot high ceiling. In the mid-1990s the entire meetinghouse floor was replaced and the stained glass windows were refurbished. Maintaining such an historic structure is a commitment both to the past and to the future. Copyright 2015 Windsor Historical Society.