History of Putnam Baptist Church

Though the official town of Putnam did not exist for another 7 years, in 1848 a group of Baptists from the church in Pomfret felt that there should be a church in the little community that had sprung up around the mills along the Quinebaug River. A local mill owner named Smith Wilkinson, brother-in- law of Samuel Slater, donated land at the corner of Church Street and Woodstock Avenue for a church to be built. The first building burned down in 1873 and was rebuilt. The robust congregation thrived and was a vital part of the town as the town grew. In 1904 tragedy struck again in the form of another fire, and the present building was built.
Putnam Baptist Church is a unique church where people of various ethnic backgrounds worship. Good music, sound Bible teaching, and a general love for the Lord and His people are evident to the regulars as well as visitors.