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What We’re About
Who We Are
First & Summerfield United Methodist Church is a congregation that seeks to be a people of justice and hope, who gather in downtown New Haven as a place of worship, community and fellowship. We seek to be in ministry with all God’s people, regardless of gender, race, age, class, ethnicity, culture, country of origin, ability and disability, and sexual orientation. Through prayer, Bible study, open dialogue, and fellowship opportunities, working together as a community of faith, we seek to encourage and challenge one another to deeper spiritual growth and stronger faith in the power of Jesus Christ to transform the world. We invite you to join us on this journey.
Here at First & Summerfield United Methodist our hearts, our minds and our doors are open to you.
Some of Our Lineage
Ever since Methodist preacher Jesse Lee preached on the steps of the New Haven Court House on June 21, 1789, there’s been a Methodist community meeting in downtown New Haven. As our name suggests, First & Summerfield is the result of a merger between the former First United Methodist, (founded 1789), and Summerfield United Methodist (founded 1871), a congregation based in the Newhallville neighborhood of New Haven. The merger took place in 1981.