The following appeared in a small booklet published in August of 1938 celebrating the 200th Birthday and the 10th Old Home Sunday of the Harwinton Congregational Church.

Harwinton Congregational Church
Its Architecture

"The present building of Harwinton Congregational Church was erected in 1808, in a period when many similar churches were being constructed throughout New England. It was unquestionably the work of a master-builder, as the fine proportions, attractive detail, and ingeniously framed timberwork still testify. The style of the church is of the Federal period, having more simple charm and refinement then the Empire work of a generation later."

"The church tower, with its unusual belfry roof, forms one of the distinguishing features of the building. The dressed stones for the underpinning are said to have been hauled from Portland by ox-teams. The framing in general is oak. The posts are 10 x 10. The main plate is 10 x 18 inches. Even in twenty-foot sections, the weight of this timber must have presented a problem in raising to the eaves line."

"The exterior walls are still covered with the original white pine clapboards, held by hand wrought nails. On the cupola roof, similar clapboards were found when the present repairs were started. Considering their long exposure there, they are still remarkably well preserved. The corners of the main church and of the tower are enriched with ornamental wooden quoining."

"Previous to alterations of about two generations ago, the auditorium consisted of two side aisles separated from a central nave by eight full height columns. The arched ceiling over the center portion was about eight feet higher then the flat ceiling over the aisles. The pulpits of that date were much higher then we are used to today, and in this case there were two staircases rising from the church floor, one at each side. The old pews were of square box type, with gates at the aisles."

"Older residents of Harwinton still remember hearing of the original arched ceiling. One tells us about 65 years ago the poor condition of the ceiling caused the audience to sit as far back as possible, for fear of falling plaster. Later, after the construction of the present flat wooden ceiling, there was regret that the beauty of the early ceiling was gone."

"The exceptional beauty of the church as a whole makes the building well worthy of repair and preservation. One cannot help being impressed with the pride of workmanship that the early builders had in every detail of their work."

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