Our present stone building was built and dedicated in June of 1902 as a gift of Mr. Edwin Gilbert, then the president of the Gilbert & Bennett Wire Factory.

We became an Independent Congregational Church around 1940, and then in 1962 acquired our

present name of Georgetown Bible Church as a non-denominational Christian congregation.

Our people today are from a variety of Christian affiliations.  We are reformed in our basic theology, with a desire to appreciate our rich Evangelical heritage and a passion to make the Bible relevant in the lives of all people.  Our families represent some eight towns throughout Fairfield County. 

For a further explanation of our history, visit the history of Redding web site:

http://www.historyofredding.com/HGchurches.htm#bible

 The below comes from the history of Redding web site (which we have updated):

Georgetown Bible Church (formerly Gilbert Memorial Church)

Georgetown Bible Church, dates back to the early part of the nineteenth century when it began as the Methodist Protestant Society. In 1826, the Methodist Protestant Society under the Wilton Circuit of churches, began to hold its services in Georgetown. Due to the increase of population associated with the Gilbert and Bennett Manufacturing Company, there was a need for churches in this area. For many years, the Methodist Protestant Society of Georgetown met in a local union hall (Also known as Miller's Hall.). In 1838, the Methodist Protestant Society built its own building and in 1839, they became a separate church.

Colt Ad Reads: Gilbert Memorial Church, Georgetown, Conn.,
"The Colt Generator gives perfect satisfaction. Our sexton says it is nothing to operate and keep it in working order. The light is fine.
Yours very truly, Rev. Edward S. Sanborn." August 26, 1902.

About 1846, the Methodist Protestant Conference, to which this church belonged, transferred its relation to the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Methodist Protestant Church in Georgetown did not agree with this change, and the majority of its members won out and remained a Methodist Protestant Church, retaining the property and building. The early church property was crossed by the Danbury & Norwalk R. R. The group sold the Railroad a right of way for $150 in 1851. The congregation voted on March 7, 1868 to dissolve the connection which existed between the Methodist Protestant Society in Georgetown and the Methodist Protestant Conference. Then, on June 15, 1875, the church united with the local Congregational Association and on February 24, 1887, the state House of Representatives authorized the change in name from the Methodist Protestant Society to The Congregational Society of Georgetown.

On October 26, 1901, the corner-stone of the present church building was laid and on June 26, 1902, the building was dedicated at a special service. The building was a gift from Deacon and Mrs. Edwin Gilbert. Mr. Gilbert was a very committed leader of the church, as well as being president of the manufacturing company in Georgetown and the land was donated by John O. St. John, a church officer at the time. David H. Miller established a large land trust for the church at this time. On October 2, 1902, the name of the church was changed in honor of Mr. Gilbert's devoted service and generous gift of the church building.

In July of 1944, the congregation of the church decided to withdraw from the Congregational Ministerial Society due to its trend away from a faithful following of the Bible. This relieved the church of all organizational ties and since then, the church has been totally independent. While being independent of any denomination, it retained the name of the Gilbert Memorial Congregational Church until April 7, 1965 when it was changed to the name it holds today, the Georgetown Bible Church.

The rich history of the church is preserved in many of the church records, many of which were written by Mr. Gilbert. These records, which may go back to the late 1800's, are on display at the church. You are welcome any time to drop by and look at the building, which is now part of the National Register of historic Places, as well as these records. You can also meet the pastor John Cardamone, who will be glad to show you around.

List of Pastors From Both Histories and Notes by Pastor John Cardamone

Joseph Smith (1844-?)

Samuel St. John (1865-1875)

Samuel J.M. Merwin (1883-1888)

Ursinus O. Mohr (1894-1899)

Elwell O. Mead (1920-1923)

Dr. B.S. Winchester (1932-1938)

Charles E. Pont (1939-1943)

William C. Floge (1943-1952)

William Kinnaman (1954-1963)

Ralph Seeley (1963-1966)

Kenneth Anderson (1966-1979)

Ralph Crall  (1979-1982)

Curtis Wagner  (1982-1992)

John Cardamone (1992-2002)

Timothy Malvaso (2003-present)

Interesting Facts

The steps that exist to the left of the main entry, are puzzling to most that notice them. They hang in mid-air, covered by an arched stone canopy, admittedly they do look odd. Their purpose dates back to the time when the church was erected, a time when horse drawn carriages not gasoline powered vehicles carried local residents to and from church on Sunday. The steps are suspended to allow horse drawn carriages to pull right up to them, efficiently delivering it's passengers to service, which was particularly helpful in foul-weather conditions in that they evaded having to trudge through the mud, slush or snow.

The building's stone architecture is striking to say the least. More impressive than its appearance is the fact that this time-tested material was quarried locally and stands as a lasting reminder of the industries that once prospered in this quiet corner of Connecticut. Branchville in particular was a very active quarry area, for close to 100 years. Though best known for its unique crystals excavated under the direction of a team of geologists from Yale University, granite mining was the first industry to exploit the abundant geologic assets of Branchville. It is said that the granite blocks you see before you today were mined in Branchville, transported here, individually numbered and assembled accordingly.

Edwin Gilbert and his wife Elizabeth Jones Gilbert are buried behind the church and their portraits hang in the gathering room to the left of the main room.

Edwin Gilbert and the Church

On October 26, 1901, the cornerstone of the present house of worship was laid and on June 6, 1902, the building was dedicated. This excellent and attractive stone structure was the gift of Deacon and Mrs. Edwin Gilbert. Mr. Gilbert was for many years president of the manufacturing company bearing his name in this town, and was intensely devoted to the welfare of this church. The breadth of his spirit may be seen in the range of his benevolence. He left a substantial endowment to the Church, an equal amount to the state Home Missionary Society, and the same amount, the income of which is used for the relief of those who may need it in the place, regardless of church affiliations. He also left one-third as much to the Congregational Church of Wilton, to the Congregational Church of Redding, to the Swedish Congregational Church of Georgetown, to the Methodist Episcopal Church of Georgetown, to the Catholic Church of Georgetown. He also funded and left a good endowment to the Fresh Air Farm, later known as Life's Farm. The superintendent of that farm, Rev. Ursinus O. Mohr, a former pastor of this church and his wife, for most of the time since 1899 were in charge of this work which gave a two week outing to about 1200 poor city children every summer.