Unitarian Meeting House

Brooklyn Unitarian Church: A Historic Landmark of Reform and Abolition

Built in 1771 by Daniel Tyler, this church became home to Connecticut’s first Unitarian congregation. Following a denominational split, Reverend Samuel May (1798–1875) became the church’s first Unitarian pastor in 1822, leading the congregation with a strong commitment to social reform and justice.

Abolition and Social Reform

Reverend May was a dedicated reformer, advocating for temperance, pacifism, and the abolition of slavery. He:

• Organized a temperance society and the Windham County Peace Society
• Spoke out against slavery, playing a key role in Connecticut’s abolitionist movement
• Supported Prudence Crandall, standing up for her at a Canterbury town meeting, as it was deemed inappropriate for women to do so at the time

A Recognized Historic Site

The church is individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is part of the Brooklyn Green National Register Historic District, preserving its legacy as a center of activism and progressive thought in Connecticut’s history.

This site is open to the public