A History of Resilience and Adaptive Reuse
Built in 1774, the Worthington Meeting House is one of the oldest surviving meeting houses in Connecticut and a well-preserved example of early New England civic and religious life. Over the centuries, it served not only as a place of worship, but also as a town meeting space, school, and home to Berlin’s first public library. Today, it stands as a reminder of the community’s long tradition of civic engagement.
The Worthington Meeting House was built in 1774 as the meeting house of the Worthington Ecclesiastical Society, created when the Congregational Church in town split east and west in a dispute arbitrated by Colonel Worthington. Timbers from the 1738 meeting house were divided to build the two meeting houses. In 1790 a steeple was added to the north side.
The Worthington Meeting House served as a church until 1850 when a new church was built farther down the road. Since the church played a large part in the government of the entire community at that time, the meeting houses also served as town halls with the location of town meetings rotating between Worthington, Kensington and New Britain parishes. The meeting houses were community centers where people also gathered for celebrations and harvest fairs.
Earliest image of the Worthington Meeting House, taken from an 1835 Barber engraving.
In addition, the Worthington Meeting House was the site of the first Berlin Library, the small collection of books being kept behind the pulpit. After the church and library found new homes, the Town of Berlin continued to use the building, and during this era it became known as Worthington Town Hall. In 1907, the town purchased Brandegee Hall and moved town offices into that building. At that time, after extensive redesign, the building reopened as Worthington School. It operated as a four-room school until 1957 when the town closed it and reused the building as offices for the Board of Education.
Worthington School, 1907 to 1957
Town offices were consolidated in 1974 and since then, the building has undergone two major stabilization projects funded by donations, state grants and town bonding as it awaits its next use.
Over generations, this town-owned building continued to be adaptively reused because townspeople valued its history. The structure exemplifies New England architecture and reminds us of the hard working, thrifty Yankee farmers who sawed, hoisted and re-pegged the massive hand-hewn chestnut beams into place. The attic truss work is a marvel of angles, and the names of former students who climbed up there to leave their mark are still visible.
Board of Education, 1957 to 1977
Worthington Meeting House
Timeline
Worthington Town Hall
1850-1907
Worthington School
1907-1957
Board of Education
1957-1975
Window restoration was completed in 1978.
The Meeting House moved off its foundation in 1980.
The Meeting House under construction in 2005.
The restored cupola on its permanent site.
1774 / Worthington Meeting House is Constructed
The Worthington Meeting House is built in 1774, and dedicated in February 1775. This takes place before the Revolutionary War and incorporation of Berlin.
1850 / Building Adapted into First Town Hall
The Town of Berlin purchased the building from the Worthington Ecclesiastical Society in 1855 for use as a Town Hall (2nd floor) and Center School (1st floor).
A second floor was installed, windows were changed, and a cupola was added for ornamentation and ventilation.
1907 / Building Adapted into Worthington School
The Meeting House was used as the Worthington School from 1907 to 1957.
During this time, the exterior was changed to a more colonial style and more windows were added. Four classrooms were present, with two on each floor.
1957 / Building Adapted into Board of Education
The Meeting House was used as the Board of Education offices from 1957 to 1975.
In 1973, the Berlin Historical Society began negotiations with the Town of Berlin to restore the Meeting House as a town museum and cultural center. In 1977, ownership was transferred to the Berlin Historical Society.
1977 / Restoration Begins
In 1977, the building reverted to its original name: the Worthington Meeting House. Later that year, the first restoration of the building began. The interior was stripped and repainted its original color. The exterior was repaired. Finally, a basement was excavated.
One year later, in 1978, a window campaign to install 20 over 20 reproduction windows was completed.
1980 / Building Stabilized
The Meeting House was destabilized due to earlier basement excavation. The building was moved off its foundation while a new foundation was poured. The building then returned to original site. This multi-month, significant unplanned expense set project back for years.
2005 / Significant Preservation Underway
The Town of Berlin bonded $610,000 for stabilization of the building in 2005. Interior & exterior work was completed. The exterior was restored to its original color: the iconic mustard yellow. The project was $100,000 under budget.
In that same year, the Friends of the Worthington Meeting House (FOWMH) nonprofit formed to lead the restoration campaign.
Late 2010s / Progress Continues
In 2017, a new architectural firm with extensive historic restoration experience was hired. New plans were developed & approved by all involved parties.
In 2019, FOMWH began its campaign to solicit $2.5M in funding in earnest.
2024 / Cupola Restoration
In 2024, the Worthington School cupola was restored using $10,000 of state and local funds. In 2025, the cupola was relocated to a permanent position on the north side of the Meeting House.
Learn more about the history of the cupola and its restoration here.