Faith in Shared Values
Until 1818, the Congregational Church was the established church in Connecticut and although Westbrook had a Methodist Church in 1807, Congregational ministers influenced many aspects of daily life. As Westbrook grew and new residents joined the local population, other churches were established adding religious diversity to the community.
Connecticut’s Code of 1650 required towns with fifty families to provide someone to teach children to read and write. Fewer girls than boys were sent to school, but learning also occurred at home. Bible-reading was important but so was reading an almanac, understanding a property deed, and adding up the accounts kept in your name by the store-keeper. Soon after Westbrook became a separate parish, there began efforts to have formal education for young people.