At the corner of Main Street and Clapboard Road in the small town of Bridgewater, Connecticut, a white clapboard sanctuary with a steeple has stood since the early 1800s, anchoring the civic and spiritual life of its surrounding villages. The Bridgewater Congregational Church has served as a place of worship, gathering, and service for more than two centuries, drawing members not only from Bridgewater but also from neighboring Brookfield and New Milford. It belongs to the United Church of Christ and identifies as an Open and Affirming congregation, opening its doors wide with the words: "No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here."
Two Centuries on Clapboard Road
The congregation was founded in 1803 and is one of the older Protestant communities in Litchfield County. Like other Congregational churches, it is organized as a democracy in which most decisions about the church's life are ultimately made by the members themselves. The church sits within the Litchfield South Association and the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ, a mainline Protestant denomination formed in 1957.
The church's mission statement reflects its enduring identity: "The Bridgewater Congregational Church seeks to be a Christ-centered, loving community of faith, welcoming to all, a supportive and joyful home for each individual's spiritual journey, energetically committed to sharing God's love through fellowship and service." Faithful stewards have cared for the building across generations, and a current capital campaign, A Fresh Coat of Faith, is raising more than $100,000 to address decades-old lead paint and exterior deterioration before the cost of repair doubles.
Sunday Mornings in the Sanctuary
Worship is at the heart of the church's life, where scripture is explored with openness and relevance, joys and concerns are shared, and prayers are lifted in community. The Sunday service begins at 10:00 AM, both in person in the Sanctuary and online via Zoom, with recordings posted to the church's YouTube channel.
Visitors arriving for the first time are met at the Sanctuary door by a greeter who hands out a bulletin and offers help finding a seat. The parking lot is large, with additional parking across the road when needed, and accessible spaces are available directly in front of the Friendship Hall and near the Sanctuary. Both the Sanctuary and Friendship Hall are accessible to those with mobility needs. Before worship, the building hums with people catching up; on many Sundays, the choir can be heard rehearsing in the background.
The service lasts about an hour and includes meditation, prayers, responsive readings, and music. Senior Pastor Rev. Abby Gackenheimer delivers a 10 to 15 minute message that connects scripture to modern life and challenges listeners to grow in faith and service. Congregational singing and the work of the choir are central features of each week. Communion is observed on the first Sunday of the month, and all are welcome to participate. After worship, a time of fellowship follows in the Friendship Hall, with coffee, tea, and conversation.
A Choir at the Center of Worship
Music is a vital part of the church's life together. The choir rehearses on Sunday mornings at 8:45 AM and sings during the 10 AM service, offering anthems and supporting the congregational singing that anchors the liturgy. Music Director Maggi Heilweil, principal instructor of the Heilweil Vocal Arts Studio, leads the ensemble of dedicated singers. Organist and pianist Larry Deming and accompanist Chris Smith round out the music team, with Deming also contributing on violin. Recordings of choir pieces are available on request through the church office. All who would like to sing are welcome to join the choir.
Children Are the Church of Today
The church welcomes children as full participants in its worshiping life. "We believe children are not simply the church of tomorrow; they are the church of today," the church teaches. In worship, children are joyfully welcomed as their curious, noisy, thoughtful, restless, imaginative, and deeply beloved selves. During the Time for All God's Children, they may ask big questions; during the rest of the service, they may color in the pew or soak in the rhythm of prayer and song.
Following the Time for All Ages, children up through about sixth grade are invited to Sunday School in the adjacent Friendship Hall, where a Biblically-based curriculum teaches Bible stories and how to connect faith with everyday life. The program is guided by a lead teacher and an education committee of six. At the close of worship, children are reunited with their parents in the Fellowship Hall. Those seeking baptism or confirmation for their children are encouraged to speak with the pastor.
Tuesdays with the Seekers and Bible Study
On Tuesday mornings at 9:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall, an ongoing book study group called Seekers gathers to discuss books chosen for their depth and diversity. Recent reading has included The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers. The group is open to anyone who enjoys a thoughtful conversation.
Bible Study led by Pastor Abby meets throughout the year, with participants engaging in questions about the meaning of scripture both for its original audience and for today. New offerings are announced. In the spirit of the UCC's belief that "God is still speaking," the church nurtures people of all ages as they discover new ways to connect faith with everyday life.
Open and Affirming: Everyone Belongs
Bridgewater Congregational Church has formally declared itself an Open and Affirming congregation, grounded in the words of John 13:34: "I give you a new commandment: love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other."
The congregation's covenant states: "We are all ONE. We celebrate everyone and affirm that every individual is a Beloved Child of God including people of all ages, shapes, races, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, family configurations, economic circumstances, physical, cognitive or emotional abilities, education, and spiritual and religious traditions. We cannot and will not be separated by our differences, we celebrate our similarities." The church invites and welcomes people of all ages to share in the full life and leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities, and blessings of participation in the congregation.
The Bridgewater Town Food Pantry
Housed in the church's Friendship Hall, the Bridgewater Town Food Pantry is one of the most visible expressions of the church's commitment to its neighbors. It is available to all Bridgewater residents, with no screening process beyond proof of residence. "If you need groceries, you are welcome here," the pantry states, whether a person is navigating a temporary setback, stretching a tight budget, supporting a growing household, or simply finding the season harder than expected. No forms are required, no questions are asked, and confidentiality is guaranteed.
The pantry operates Tuesday through Thursday from 10 AM to 2 PM, or by appointment with a volunteer, and is stocked through the generosity of the community and the congregation. Checks may be made out to BWUCC with "food pantry" written on the memo line; 100 percent of those gifts go to the pantry. The pantry is managed on a volunteer basis.
Mission and Outreach Beyond the Town Line
The congregation's commitment to service stretches well beyond Bridgewater. The Board of Mission and Outreach organizes an array of programs in partnership with Church World Services, including School Kits, Hygiene Kits, and Emergency Cleanup Buckets that are delivered to the CWS depot in Meriden, Connecticut for distribution after disasters. Each February, the congregation raises money for CWS Blankets by selling handmade Valentine cards, and the church participates in the annual CROP Hunger Walk.
Since 2005, the church has taken youth from the area on a one-week summer mission trip to Philadelphia, where teens and adult chaperones stay at Old First Reformed United Church of Christ and spend their days handing out food to people experiencing homelessness, working at soup kitchens, cooking for the homebound, and assisting at city day camps. Adult mission trips have traveled to Baton Rouge to help rebuild homes after the 2016 hurricane.
On the fourth Tuesday of each month, six members of the Mission and Outreach Board prepare and serve a meal at the New Milford Soup Kitchen (Loaves and Fishes). The Board also hosts an annual Palm Sunday breakfast to fund its work, organizes a Mardi Gras charity event for Renewal House of Danbury, supports the Santa Fund through New Milford Social Services, and volunteers at the Jericho Partnership in Danbury at their food pantry, women's shelter, and clothing warehouse.
Friendship Hall: A Building for the Whole Community
The Bridgewater Friendship Hall sits next to the Sanctuary at 10 Clapboard Road and serves as both the church's fellowship space and a community gathering place. The Hall includes a large gathering room, parlor, and living room area with fireplace, as well as a commercial kitchen equipped with two stoves, two sinks, a commercial dishwasher, and ample cookware. A new air conditioning system keeps the building cool in warm weather.
Friendship Hall is available for rental for wedding receptions, anniversaries, bridal showers, meetings, and parties. Local groups that regularly meet at the church include a yoga class, the Greater Litchfield County Jewish Coalition, and Alcoholics Anonymous. The Hall is also the home of the Bridgewater Town Food Pantry and the Sunday School.
A Congregation with Civic Roots
Two members of the church serve on the Bridgewater Scholarship Fund Committee, which provides funding for residents seeking to further their education. Church members are in regular contact with town officials, and the church hosts community events such as the annual Mardi Gras fundraiser and a Live Drive-Through Nativity that has drawn nearly 200 vehicles in a single evening. Members have also organized a Community Easter Sunrise Service, a Christmas Shop and Tree Sales, and a Trunk or Treat on Halloween that draws families from across the area. The Roots Rock Revue brings community concerts to the church each year.
Leadership
Senior Pastor Rev. Abby Gackenheimer came to Bridgewater Congregational Church in November 2021. A Montana native shaped by the Flathead Valley and the peaks of Glacier National Park, she earned a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Visual Arts before discerning a call to ministry. She graduated from Eden Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity in 2008 and was ordained in the UCC in 2009, going on to serve UCC congregations in Vermont and Connecticut. She is married to Rev. Ryan Gackenheimer, pastor of First Congregational Church of Bethel, UCC, and they have a child, Keadyn.
Office Administrator Ashli Feather has been part of the church since October 2019 and is the welcoming presence Tuesday through Thursday, greeting visitors to both the church and the Food Pantry. She also serves at Community Caring in Bridgewater. Music Director Maggi Heilweil leads the choir; Larry Deming serves as organist, pianist, and violinist; Chris Smith accompanies on piano; and Corey Price and Amy Blackman serve as site managers. Volunteer leaders include Moderator Alan Smith, Head of Deacons Chris Smith, Head of Trustees John Kivela, Head of Mission and Outreach Candee Kilian and Candy Smith, and Head of Christian Education Fran Kelly.
Getting Connected
The church office is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 AM to 2 PM, with the pastor available Tuesday through Thursday from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM and by appointment. Weekly newsletters are sent on Thursdays, and the order of worship is included. Contributions may be made online, by mail to PO Box 7, Bridgewater, CT 06752, or by dropping off a check during office hours. Annual pledges may be submitted online. Subscriptions to the newsletter are available by emailing the office. Recordings of services are posted to the church's YouTube channel for those who wish to revisit a message or catch up on a Sunday they missed.