Ridgefield in Western Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
The Livery Stable and the First Catholic Church
Ridgefield, Connecticut
| | The Museum in the Streets | |
Photographed by Michael Herrick, June 2, 2010
1. The Livery Stable and the First Catholic Church Marker
Whitlock's Livery, later the Sperry Livery stable, was across the street from the firehouse. Whitlock ran a stage to the Branchville station before the branch line was built in 1870. The livery stable also boarded horses, including those used by the fire department. One of Sperry's employees remembered weekends when a party coming from the station to one of the "summer cottages" would have from 12 to 20 trunks delivered by their drivers. Sperry's was replaced by Young's Feed Store.
In 1867 a small frame building was purchased for $975 for use as a Catholic Church. A year later the building was destroyed by fire when the candlestick factory next door burned down. By 1879 a small church was built on the property and was added onto in 1888. In 1904 the building was moved back from the street to its present site. A few of the pointed lancet windows remain on the west fa็ade. John Rockwell and his brother Francis owned the candlestick factory located first in a building that became the Bailey Inn on Main Street, and later on Catoonah Street. Other businesses included the largest hat manufactory in town, a harness shop and a livery stable.
Erected by The Museum in the Streetsฎ. (Marker Number 14.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic
this page online
Location. 41° 16.889′ N, 73° 29.965′ W. Marker is in Ridgefield in Western Region, Connecticut. It is at the intersection of Catoonah Street and Main Street (Connecticut Route 35), on the left when traveling east on Catoonah Street. Located next to the fire house, in front of the AT&T Office building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield CT 06877, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on the Connecticut Shoreline, on the Gold Coast, and in Greater Bridgeport. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Fairfield County and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Out of the Ashes (within shouting distance of this marker); A Much-Loved Old Church and a Watering Trough for Horses (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great Fire of 1895 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Village Center in the Early 1900s (about 300 feet away); Ridgefield, Connecticut (about 300 feet away); More of the Great Fire (about 400 feet away); The Village in the 1900s (about 400
Photographed by Michael Herrick, June 2, 2010
2. The Livery Stable and the First Catholic Church Marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. Bailey Avenue: A Short-Cut to the Train Station (was about 300 feet away but has been confirmed missing).
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Take the Museum in the Streets Walking Tour in Ridgefield, Connecticut.
Photographed by Michael Herrick, June 2, 2010
3. The church building, built in 1879, is a thrift shop today.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 978 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 20, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
