Our History
Who is Nea Zoe Church?
Nea Zoe Church (NZC) began on February 18, 2008, originally as New Life Church of Connecticut. The name New Life was changed to Nea Zoe a few years later to distinguish the church from other New Life Churches. Pastor Paul decided to change the name to Greek, emulating the New Testament being originally written in Greek.
NZC was started from a vision from God and a desire to help others discover their new lives in Christ. The first service began in 2008, at Pastor Paul & Brenda's home. Within six months, the church moved to Waterbury, Connecticut where it has been ever since.
Within our logo, you will find three important words. They are Faith, Passion, and Purpose. Our mission is to To help each person discover their new life "In Christ", by walking out their faith, igniting their passion, and unleashing their purpose!
In 2023, Nea Zoe Church and Mill Plain Union Church joined together to form our new identity Nea Zoe Mill Plain Church.
Mill Plain began in 1833, Saw Mill Plain Schoolhouse was built where Chase School now stands. In 1877, our first religious meeting started at the school. People brought their own kerosene lamps and a teacher wrote out the hymns. Rev. Alfred Northtrop conducted the services until 1878, and then Capt. Banks (who fought in the Civil War) kept the meetings going. Dr. John Davenport was minister of 2nd Congregational Church and Capt. Banks persuaded him to preach in the schoolhouse. It is noted he WALKED from downtown to Mill Plain.
In 1883, the Mill Plain Chapel was built for $1,750. Temporary ministers came from Episcopal, Methodist, Baptist, and Congregational churches in Waterbury each week to preach. Mill Plain employed temporary ministers from 1883-1921 (38 years).
Rev. Laurence Dry, Mill Plain’s first permanent minister started in May of 1921. Attendance grew. Sunday School met in the Grange Hall kitchen and in horse sheds.
Soon a larger church was needed so the Building Committee decided on a stone church. Mill Plain Union Church, built by members of the congregation, was completed on Easter Sunday, 1928.
In 1947, there was a devastating fire and the church burned to the ground. Services were held at the Grange Hall on Meriden Rd, while the church was being rebuilt. Many people volunteered their talent, services and money to the rebuild. After 2 years, the Mill Plain Union Church reopened, more beautiful than before.
From its inception in 1882, the congregation of Mill Plain Union Church has played an important and unique role in the lives of its people and the community it serves.
Important because through its worship, service, Christian education and social programs, it has sought to make the Spirit of the Living Christ a reality in the hearts and lives of people.
Unique because it has been a gathering place for people from a wide variety of denominational backgrounds, each bringing with them the strengths of their prior religious experience, to enrich and vitalize their lives and the lives of other members.
