OUR HISTORY
Saint David’s claims roots deep in the history of Ledyard, Connecticut, the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. Bishop Samuel Seabury, the first American Episcopal Bishop and the first Bishop of Connecticut, was born in Ledyard only about five miles from Saint David’s.
During the 1960s, Ledyard was rapidly expanding from a farming community to a bedroom community because of the growth of the Naval Submarine Force, training facilities and submarine construction in Groton. A dedicated group of Navy personnel and local civilian citizens, through hard work, prayers, and with the encouragement of Bishop Walter Gray, held the first worship service of Saint David’s Mission on January 7, 1962, in the Gales Ferry School Auditorium. The service was attended by 198 people.
Progress and milestones came quickly. Judge and Mrs. Billings Crandall donated the several acres of land where Saint David’s is now located. The Reverend Robert Worthy was appointed Vicar by the Bishop. Ground was broken on April 21, 1963 for the church (now the parish hall), and it was dedicated on October 13, 1963. The present sanctuary was constructed in 1966. A major renovation and new construction occurred in 2009, which included rehabilitated rooms and meeting spaces, renovation of the parish hall and a new north wing containing a commercial kitchen, music room and six classrooms.
Burning of the Mortgage -- 1981
The succession of Saint David’s Pastors since the church was founded:
The Reverend Robert Worthy, Mission Vicar, 1963- 1964
The Reverend G. Richard Siener, Mission Vicar, 1964 - 1971 (Saint David’s became an official self-sustaining parish in 1971)
The Reverend G. Richard Siener, Parish Rector, 1971- 1974
The Reverend R. David Cox, Parish Rector, 1975 - 1987
The Reverend Henry C. Burdick, III, Parish Rector, 1988 - 1999
The Reverend Charles M. Baker, Parish Rector, 2000 - 2010
The Reverend Mary A. Canavan, Parish Rector, 2012 - 2013
The Reverend Jana M. Branson, Parish Rector, 2020 - 2024