Yesterday, Saugatuck Congregational Church welcomed hundreds of folks for the annual Westport Community Thanksgiving Feast. Scores of other volunteers made it an especially wonderful day.
Saugatuck Church is an important part of our town. It’s a welcoming gathering place for congregants and non-members alike.
“06880” has chronicled its many outreach programs. Its renovation and renaissance after a devastating Thanksgiving week fire 4 5years ago.
“06880” has been fascinated by the church’s move in 1950, from its longtime site on the Post Road near South Compo Road (approximately where the Sunoco gas station is now), across the street and several hundred yards west to its current majestic location.
We’ve shared photos from the September 11, 1950 Life magazine story about that moving day.
But here’s the first shot we’ve seen of the Saugatuck Church, at its original spot:
It looks the same as today (sort of). Too bad there is nothing in the photo to show where exactly it stood.
(Hat tip: Seth Schachter)
Across the Post Road to the east, where the Sunoco & Chevron gas stations are located.
I remember the day that the church was slowly rolled down the
Post Road, it was like a holiday as folks were walking around,
talking and excited as the stately church on its’ heavy timber
supports quietly made its’ journey.
I believe Tom Z. is correct. My parents watched it happen and they told us where the church was originally. My mother’s family attended there as our family did when my sister and I came into the family.
Tom is correct and I also remember the day the church was moved. Day before yesterday I came across a rendering, not a photograph, of the church in 1942. I’ll check it and if it shows any identifying landmarks I’ll scan it and send it to you Dan. I remember attending Sunday School and Church in the old location. I guess that dates me:) I don’t remember why it was necessary to move the church but it was on a hill side just across from the present location.
I believe the fire was 2011, 5 years ago, as it was right after my mom died and we could not hold her Memorial at “our church”, and at the home of the nursery school she’d co-founded the night ML KING was assassinated.
Melody James
You are correct, melody. I’ll make that change. Thank you.
I looked at what I described as a “rendering” of Saugatuck Congregational. It is actually a church bulletin dated 1942. In my fuzzy memory I thought it was a pen and ink sketch. This view is the opposite side of the church shown in the photo. The steeple shows clearly and there is a picket fence that indicates there was a slope to the property. My memory is that the church was on a hill just above the Post Road. I had to smile when I saw several names that were part of the “skeleton Organization”. Herbert E. Baldwin. Wasn’t he a town selectman? Gladys Mansir was Chairman ( not a typo on my part ) of Religious Education. There are others, familiar to me and perhaps to some other “old timers”. If anyone is interested I’d be happy to copy and post.