Highlights of Church History:
Tradition has set down the founding date of the Congregational Church of Patchogue as January 14, 1793; and while we have no written record than tells us of what took place on that date or the details of events leading up to that time, we do know that the church was formed out of the Strict Congregational movement which was based largely upon the old spirit and concepts of the early Puritans.
From its outset the church has been an open community church whose successive generations have zealously guarded its independence from outside control. The church always has managed its own affairs, both spiritual and temporal, while maintaining an affiliation with the national, state and association levels of the Congregational denomination, which is now embraced by the United Church of Christ.
But, despite the obscurity of early details, one can be sure that the Congregational Church of Patchogue was founded and has grown and flourished out of a need of people to come together for the worship of God, for fellowship with one another, for education in the Christian ideal, and for involvement in mutual and community concerns.
There have been four church homes for the Patchogue Congregationalists, ranging from the simple 25 by 20 foot pioneer building whose rough timbers were hewn from trees that grew nearby, to the magnificent stone and mortar edifice with its substantial and beckoning tower that has graced the center of Patchogue Village since 1893.
And now the question arises: How do we measure the greatness of a church. There is the great heritage. There were generations of forward looking individuals who built for the future. A notable succession of outstanding clergymen has left their indelible traces. But, undoubtedly the measure of true greatness comes from the hearts of a people who are gathered in care and concern for all people - the old and infirm, the mature, the young - all, whether they be member, friends, neighbors or strangers.
We come to serve and to be served; to love and to be loved. Let us increase our heritage by our own manifold works that our light may so continue to shine before men.
Found on the back of a folder from the late 1960's detailing and showing the activities and works of the church. The words still ring true to this day.
Shirley Werner, Historian
