Second Church of Christ 🇺🇸

When you visit Hartford, Connecticut, you can step back into early American history at the Second Church of Christ, also known as the South Congregational Church. Located south of downtown at the southwest corner of Main and Buckingham Streets, this landmark was built between 1825 and 1827. It stands as one of only four surviving public buildings in the city constructed before 1830.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the site serves as the third home for a historic congregation founded in 1670. The group originally formed when 31 members split from Reverend Thomas Hooker’s church over doctrinal differences, maintaining a commitment to Hooker's original covenant. As you explore the exterior, you will admire a striking two-story rectangular brick structure highlighted by an elaborate tetrastyle Greek Revival temple front and a multi-stage tower.

The present building occupies land that once held the parsonage of its second minister, Thomas Buckingham, and features a carefully integrated 1847 brick addition designed by Joseph Camp. Inside, you can appreciate the architectural details of a mid-19th-century Greek Revival restyling crafted by renowned architect Minard Lafever, making this historic space a unique stop for architecture and history enthusiasts alike.

What to see at Second Church of Christ

• Built between 1825 and 1827 as one of Hartford's oldest surviving pre-1830 public buildings
• Features an elaborate tetrastyle Greek Revival temple front and multi-stage tower
• Mid-19th century interior Greek Revival restyling designed by architect Minard Lafever
• Home to a historic Congregationalist congregation originally established in 1670

Visiting tips

Look for this historic brick landmark at the southwest corner of Main and Buckingham Streets, located just south of downtown Hartford.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Daytime

How to get there & what’s nearby

Second Church of Christ is easy to reach on Hartford’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art and Trinity College Chapel, Hartford. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Hartford travel guide.