History

Thomas Wheeler, from Concord, MA, along with a group of pioneers, established his home at the head of Black Rock Harbor. The settlement became known as Black Rock Village – named for the black rocks along the shore.

Fun Fact: Prior to 1849, the families from this settlement traversed the Unquowa River (now Ash Creek) to attend the First Church of Christ, Fairfield (est. 1639). A three-mile journey.

Thomas B. Bartram offered a lot to build on Ellsworth Street. This is where Black Rock Church stood until it was torn down in 1968.

Fun Fact: Captain Bartram had a path cut through his property from his home on Brewster Street (which still stands today) to the church so he wouldn’t have to take the long way around. This path is known today as Bartram Avenue.

William Jessup Jennings preached the first message in the newly constructed building. He preached from Hebrews 2:1-3.

The new meeting house was dedicated. The building was overflowing. The church clerk wrote, “Our little Christian band was in tears – not of sadness, but of joy.”

Rev. William Jessup Jennings was installed as pastor on March 1, 1850.

Rev. Henry Collins Woodruff served for 41 years from 1881-1922.

He married Mary A Bartram who was a granddaughter of Captain Bartram who gave the lot of land to Black Rock Church.

Rev. Charles Haddon Spurgeon MacDowell served from 1922-1943.

The character of Black Rock Church as it is known today originally developed under Rev. MacDowell’s ministry by means of his youth Bible studies. During this time, new Bible studies were formed, congregants attended Bible conferences and camps, new leaders were raised up, Wednesday prayer services were revitalized, and a Sunday evening service began.

On April 29, 1923 Woodruff Memorial Hall was dedicated. Funds for the building were donated by Rev. Woodruff’s widow.

Harry Cox, Black Rock’s first supported missionary, left for Nigeria under Sudan Interior Mission (SIM)

In 1947 The Bridgeport Post published an article about Black Rock Teenagers reading “the best established and attended group of its kind since it offered a healthy, positive solution to the problem of delinquency and restlessness in the youth of today.”

The church was without a pastor for two years. In January 1945 it was voted to sever Black Rock’s association with the Congregational Denomination.

Black Rock Church celebrated its Centennial with a buffet supper and service in the parish hall. Dr. Cleveland, the pastor at the time, spoke on “The Prince of Peace,” the same topic as that of Reverend Jennings on August 5, 1849.

At 11:02 A.M, several of the church members living on Ellsworth Street and the immediate area watched as our steeple crashed into the roof, piercing the sanctuary ceiling with the weather vane during a hurricane. The steeple was never replaced.

Rev. Stanley R. Allaby served from September 1, 1956 to May 31,1997.

The first few years of his ministry saw good, solid growth take place in the church, the Sunday School, and the youth work. It was not long before a second morning worship service had to be added to accommodate the people who were coming. Even after adding a second service it was not uncommon to have to put chairs in the aisles at the second service. This continued growth marked the need for a larger facility.

During the second year of his pastorate, Pastor Allaby initiated the First Annual Missionary Conference.

Black Rock Missions support had been growing and by this time 8 missionary couples were being supported.

The first Faith Promise program goal was $22,000

The Bridgeport Zoning Board determined we could not build on the land we owned in Bridgeport. Within 24 hours, several of the businessmen of the church had found a beautiful six-acre piece of land on Black Rock Turnpike and out of their own funds, made a deposit on the property. Within a few weeks, the legal work was completed and our present property was purchased. 

A groundbreaking ceremony was held. After many ups and downs, Pastor Allaby preached a sermon about how only God, not we, could build a church. It was up to us to have faith and trust in God knowing that His plans and His timetable were perfect.

March 31, 1968 was the dedication of our second building at 3685 Black Rock Tpke, Fairfield.

The Sanctuary capacity was 550.

September 6, 1969 Black Rock Nursery School opened and ran until 2012.

The Good News Singers, a singing group of 28 young adults eager for spiritual growth and outreach, formed.

For many years the group toured throughout the country, Canada, and Great Britain in malls, schools, prisons, and more to share the gospel in a concert format.

The first full-time Associate Pastor, Minister of Youth, Minister of Music, and Minister of Christian Education were hired.

New children’s ministries such as the Summer Adventure day camp began in 1976, as well as the expansion of the Pioneer Girls and Boys Brigade programs.  Vacation Bible School continued to be a great annual outreach to the children of the community with special themed weeks each summer.

(image shows 1990’s Summer Adventure kids)

Black Rock ‘adopts’ a Cambodian refugee family which brought other Cambodians worshiping at Black Rock. Black Rock’s Cambodian Fellowship was pastored by Rev. Chhon Kong.

In 2004, Black Rock’s Cambodian Fellowship became an independent church called Center Community Church.

With support from Black Rock leadership, 7 Black Rock families in the Danbury area began laying the foundation for what would become Walnut Hill Community Church – which along with Black Rock is one of the largest churches in New England.

The first “Sights and Sounds of Christmas” concert. This became a leading evangelical witness to the community.

The Sights and Sounds was preceded by the outdoor “Singing Christmas Tree” program during the 1970’s.

In 1987 the Sanctuary was remodeled, a new choir loft was built, the glass foyer was built on the patio, and the church’s two classroom wings were connected together with a number of new classrooms.

Domestic and international missions trips were introduced.

November 1997 was the first Fall Missions Festival focusing on local missionaries.

At the end of the decade, the Faith Promise goal was $567,000 and 79 missionaries were supported by Black Rock.

After being approved on February 9, 1997, Dr. Stephen A. Treash started his service as senior pastor in June 1997.

Black Rock has continued to grow under his leadership. Our congregation has grown to require a renovation of our building, several new ministries have been launched, and our staff has grown to a team of over 50 people. We have also expanded outside of our walls in Fairfield to have a presence in Stamford and Easton. Pastor Steve has also used his pastoral and leadership gifts to mentor many pastors of other New England churches.

After experimenting with a shortened, contemporary style worship service called “The Early Church” that met at 8:15 AM (starting March 1993), a full contemporary service was eventually introduced in 1997 to replace one of the traditional services.

Due to issues with Sunday overcrowding, funds are raised to build a new Welcome Center and renovate the kids and students areas. 45 additional parking spots are also added.

New Sunday morning groups like “A Closer Look”, “Discovery”, and “Basics” are created to encourage spiritual growth among many new seekers and believers.

A Shelton property is entrusted to Black Rock and begins as a Black Rock campus. Eventually, this would become Huntington Chapel in 2007.

Sanctuary Young Adults was launched. Sanctuary was started as a way of reaching Young Adults who were missing in Black Rock’s congregation. Sanctuary focused on worship and messages that reflected the communication styles of the time. It was the only Young Adults service of its kind in Fairfield County and God strengthened it as it quickly grew in numbers and breadth of ministry opportunities. What started as a Sunday night service rapidly became a thriving community of hundreds of College and Young Adults.  

A second contemporary service was added in September of 2002.

Overcrowding continues to be a significant issue so the first steps towards expansion begin. Our church looked into purchasing one of the 5 adjacent properties but all 5 neighbors opposed Black Rock’s growth and were adamant against selling.

After months and years of prayer for God’s leading and blessing, 4 out of the 5 neighbors had a change of heart — all within a 12-week period. The properties were quickly purchased and comprise our current 18-acre site. An expanded facility plan is developed and over $12 million are raised to make it a reality.

Black Rock became “one church in two locations” as Black Rock Long Ridge in Stamford began on September 16, 2007. For about 10 years, our church held services here. Today, this property is being converted into intern housing.

We worshipped for the last time in the old facility on October 14th, 2012 and the new construction began. 10 years after the process began!

Our Living Free groups were created to support people in our church who are facing specific challenges including grief, anxiety, substance abuse, and more. Many people have found healing, hope, and support since the launch of these groups.

A small church in Easton reached out for our support as their congregation dwindled. Historically, this church holds spiritual significance in New England. We were honored to make sure that this building will continue to be used for ministry.

While our legal name is still Black Rock Congregational Church, the congregation approved Black Rock Church as our public name in 2016.

The Covid-19 pandemic sent the world into lockdown. Our church navigated the ever-changing updates to regulations and safety protocols while still making it a priority to worship together. For some time, church moved entirely online. Then we launched ‘Backyard Church’ and met together in small groups at each other’s homes. Once the building reopened, we continued to offer an outdoor option of viewing the service on a large LED screen.

After exactly one year of virtual and remote Sunday worship, on March 14, 2021 Black Rock resumed Sunday morning worship live and in-person.

On this Sunday, we ripped up the mortgage agreement we began in 2012. Over 10 year Black Rock building and paid for a remarkable 76,000 square foot, state-of-the-art ministry facility. We are debt-free!

After undergoing renovation, the Growth Center at our Easton property was opened. This space was created to primarily be used for counseling services. A partnership with Renew Counseling allows us to serve many people in this way.