Episcopal · Killingworth, Connecticut
Emmanuel Church
The Little Church in the Wilderness
All are welcome to worship God in our humble house in the Wilderness. Come as you are, wherever you are on your spiritual path.
Sundays · 10:00
Holy Eucharist, Rite II, alternating with Morning Prayer
Worship
Join us Sunday mornings
We gather every Sunday at 10:00 AM for Holy Eucharist, Rite II, alternating with services of Morning Prayer.
We have streamed every Sunday since March 22, 2020, keeping the parishes of the Middlesex Area Cluster Ministry together with those who join from far and wide. Weekly readings are posted so you can follow along.
Can’t make it in person?
Watch on Facebook Live
Services stream live from our Facebook group each Sunday. You don’t need a Facebook account to watch.
About us
Whoever you are, you are welcome here
Whatever your age, work, background or politics, and wherever you are in your faith, you are welcome to join us as we journey together.
- A place to gather with friends Our members range in age from 1 to 102: firefighters, teachers, judges, bus drivers, engineers, students, grandparents and retirees, all sharing faith and fellowship.
- Together for the common good We believe the church plays an important role in supporting its community, close to home and around the world.
- A community of ministers We follow Total Common Ministry, rooted in the belief that every baptized Christian is gifted for ministry. Laypeople and clergy share worship, pastoral care and administration.
Our history
One of Connecticut’s oldest houses of worship
Emmanuel Church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its plain white exterior has no embellishment, and the only ornaments in its 100-seat interior are a single stained-glass window and a brass chandelier.
- 1800 A group of poor farmers begins raising the building. The work takes about 15 years, and they name it Union Church.
- Early 1900s After hard times, the church is revitalized by the Rev. George Gilbert, whose ministry is told in his best-selling book Forty Years a Country Preacher.
- 1970 Electricity comes to the church for the first time.
- 1980 Emmanuel becomes a founding member of the Middlesex Area Cluster Ministry.
- 1987 A parish hall, kitchen and indoor bathroom are added.
Our organ
For a small country church, our organ is a rare delight. Opus 154 was designed and built by Karl Wilhelm Inc. of Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, following building principles that date to the 17th century.
Its free-standing case is white oak, with hand-carved butternut pipe shades gilded in 22-karat gold leaf. The natural keys are ebony; the sharps are rosewood plated with bone. The wooden Bourdon pipes, played with the feet, carry the bass.
Our memorial garden
The memorial garden was created for the scattering of ashes, as a dignified and natural resting place for loved ones and a place for meditation and prayer.
The garden and its memorial book are cared for by the Emmanuel Church Vestry.
Forty Years a Country Preacher
The Rev. George B. Gilbert became Emmanuel’s priest in 1909 and cared for the farm families of these hills in every way he could, from finding them work to cutting their hair. His 1940 memoir of country parish life became a best seller, and it is back in print in paperback
Find it on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1981219935?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback
Outreach
Serving our neighbors
Through the pandemic and beyond, we have kept supporting local and global outreach.
Amazing Grace Food Pantry
Together our cluster has donated more than three tons of groceries every week since the pandemic began. Bring a jar on Peanut Butter Sunday.
HK Backpack Program
Helping make sure local children have food to take home.
Helping Hands
Support for neighbors in need across our communities.
Quilts of Valor
Honoring our veterans with handmade quilts, with the help of the Rev. Ellen Kennedy.
Middlesex Area Cluster Ministry
Three parishes, one ministry
Since 1980, Emmanuel has shared clergy, resources and outreach with two neighboring Episcopal churches, doing God’s work locally, nationally and globally.
The cluster’s Network Council meets on the second Wednesday of each month, rotating among the three churches.
Killingworth
Emmanuel Church
You are here
Clergy
Our priests
The Rev. Ellen Kennedy served as our Priest in Charge from March 2024, coming out of retirement to lead us with wit, love and God’s word. She retired after our Community Worship at Parmelee Farm on June 7, 2026. We will miss her spark of light.
We are searching for our next priest
If you believe God may be calling you to discern with us, please send a letter of interest, a current resume or CV, and an OTM profile to the Rev. Dr. Kevin Olds, Diocesan Transition Minister for the Episcopal Church in Connecticut.
Across the cluster, the Rev. Dr. Bryan Spinks (profile) has served for 32 years and is Priest in Charge at St. Andrew’s, Northford. The Rev. Jim Speer is Priest in Charge at St. James, Higganum.
Vestry
Lay leadership
- Darcey Beausoleil Senior Warden
- Rosemarie Prelinger Junior Warden
- Kristen Van Alstine Clerk
- Deb Albert Treasurer
- Debranne Myers Asst. Treasurer
- Wally Jones Finance Chair
- Catherine Burdge Vestry
- Robin Freeman Vestry
- Garnett Myers Cluster Network Chair
Through the year
Seasons at Emmanuel
Visit
Find us in the woods
50 Emmanuel Church Road
Killingworth, CT 06419
Directions
On Route 148, Emmanuel Church Road is halfway between Route 81 and Route 79.