Center Church on the Green
First Church of Christ – New Haven CT
The Founding Church of New Haven, at the center of the Green, where faith and culture intersect.
Sunday service time: 11:00am
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Please join us in song and celebration of Lent, Easter, and the Installation of our Senior Minister. All events will be held in our historic meetinghouse at 250 Temple Street, except where noted.
April 17 7:30 p.m. Maundy Thursday Service of Tenebrae. Join our congregation and United Church on the Green to contemplate Jesus’ final earthly days.
April 18 2:30 p.m. Good Friday service in the crypt to reflect on Jesus’ last words.
April 20 11:00 a.m. Easter Celebration of hope and resurrection.
April 27 3:00 p.m. Installation of the Rev. Dr. Ashley Cook Cleere. All are welcome to attend; please click here to view invitation.
May 4 6:00 p.m. An Evening with Andrew McKnight in our Parish House at 311 Temple Street. A nationally acclaimed singer/songwriter, guitarist, and “storytender,” Andrew McKnight is a folk/Americana artist hailing from northern Virginia’s Blue Ridge. His performance weaves masterfully crafted songs, humorous stories and poetic drama into a musical soundscape sketched with shades of Appalachia, tasteful slide and jazzy blues, feisty anthems, and rustic folk. Doors open 5:30 p.m.; $20 freewill donation requested. RSVP to office@ccotg.org appreciated but not required.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: In September 2024, we welcomed a new Senior Minister, the Rev. Dr. Ashley Cleere, and a new Director of Music and Organist, Anne Maria Lim. Watch for bios and more updates on our website soon!
CRYPT TOURS: Starting in November 2024, crypt tours are now available on the second Sunday of each month at 10:00 am. Gather in the narthex of the meetinghouse at 250 Temple Street.

Virtual Tour
Click here for a tour of the church interior and the crypt:
History
Our roots go back to 1638, when the Puritans and their minister, The Rev. John Davenport, came here to found a colony and a church. As the founding church of New Haven, the people of Center Church have been walking together in faith for more than three centuries.
Mission
We continue to honor our historic mandate of bringing the love and hope of Jesus Christ to New Haven and its surrounding communities by offering meaningful worship services with beautiful music and thought-provoking sermons.
We are a people whose faith is in process, and we honor and respect the questions as much as the answers.
We believe a loving and gracious God calls us to use our minds along with our hearts and spirits. So if you are a seeker, we invite you to join us!
We are open and affirming
Services
We hope you will join us on Sunday mornings at 11 A.M. Our sanctuary is stunning in its simple beauty; our organ and choir offer uplifting music, and the sermons challenge us to think and grow in faith.
There are opportunities for study, service and friendship.
Join us, if you can, but whether or not you visit, we thank you for taking the time to visit our website. May God bless you and keep you.