How One Man’s Letter to Thomas Jefferson Led to 175 Years of Ministry

Huntington Street
John Phelan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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This is a church that honors its history while pursuing a fresh vision. A church that maintains doctrinal conviction while welcoming anyone hungry for truth. A church that sits on a granite foundation but builds on the Rock of Ages.

You might come for the history. You might stay for the gospel.

For Church Planters

If you’re a church planter or replanter in New England, this story offers crucial encouragement:

God’s sovereignty overrules human plans. The Universalists built for their purposes. God used it for His. Trust His sovereignty, not your strategies.

Faithfulness matters more than success. Most of the pastors at Huntington Street are forgotten. But they served faithfully. God honored their labor. He’ll honor yours too.

Theological clarity is non-negotiable. The 1840s division came over the gospel itself. Don’t compromise biblical truth to gain a hearing. A church that compromises the gospel has nothing worth saying.

Buildings don’t equal ministry. The Universalists had the most impressive building. The Baptists had the true gospel. That made all the difference. Don’t confuse container with content.

God raises up the next generation. When one work ends, God begins another. Your calling is faithful service in your season. He’ll provide the next generation of workers.

The gospel endures. Churches close. Buildings change hands. Cultures shift. But where men preach Christ faithfully, God works. He always has. He always will.

Visit On The Rock Community Church

Address: 29 Huntington Street, New London, CT 06320
Service Time: Sundays at 11:00 AM
Phone: 860-443-4607
Website: ontherockcommunitychurch.com

Come see where history was made. Come hear the gospel that endures. Come be part of the next chapter.

The building has stood since 1843. The gospel has been proclaimed since 1849. The mission continues in 2025.

The tallest steeple in New London still points heavenward. The granite foundation still holds firm. And the Rock on which it’s built—Jesus Christ—remains the same yesterday, today, and forever.

This is more than a church. It’s a piece of American history where God is still writing the story.

Your story could be part of it.

The building needs significant repairs, including the steeple. If you would like to be part of the historical restoration, don’t hesitate to contact the church to learn how you can contribute to this history and help preserve its impact.

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Gary J. Moritz
Gary J. Mortiz is the Lead Pastor of City United Church in Lunenburg, Massachusetts, and serves as the Director of Church Revitalization for the Baptist Churches of New England, providing an established network of support for pastors and churches throughout New England, enabling them to thrive. He also works for Liberty University as a Subject Matter Expert and assistant professor in the online School of Divinity. Gary established the Church Vitality Network, an online platform that connects churches with resources for health in pastoring, revitalization, and renewal through a digital hub.

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