Second Church of Christ, Hartford

The Second Church of Christ, now known as South Congregational Church, is a historic landmark in Hartford, located at the southwest corner of Main and Buckingham Streets, just steps from the Charter Oak Cultural Center. Built between 1825 and 1827, it stands as one of Hartford’s oldest surviving public buildings and a prominent example of Greek Revival architecture.

Designed by noted architect Minard Lafever, the church’s exterior is defined by a stately tetrastyle façade with four Ionic columns and a commanding multi-tiered tower, complete with a large clock that enhances its presence on Main Street. Inside, the structure reflects Lafever’s mid-19th-century Greek Revival restyling, preserving the aesthetic ideals of symmetry and classical elegance.

The congregation was established in 1670 by 31 members who separated from the original church led by Rev. Thomas Hooker, a founder of the Connecticut Colony. The group claimed to follow Hooker’s original covenant, which they still preserve in his handwriting. The present building is the third home for the congregation, constructed on land that once held the parsonage of its second minister, Thomas Buckingham.

Built by local craftsmen Nathaniel Woodhouse and William Hayden, the church also features an 1847 brick addition designed by Joseph Camp. Though this extension suffered severe damage from a tornado in 1979, the original sanctuary remains intact, a testament to its enduring craftsmanship.

Recognized for its architectural and historical significance, the Second Church of Christ was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. It continues to be a key symbol of Hartford’s religious and cultural heritage.