Higganum - Pulpit Rock

photo courtesy of Haddam Historical Society (circa early1900's)

Home to Methodist's Circuit Riders of the 18th Century

Along Candlewood Hill Road from Higganum Center to Durham there stand a proud reminder of America's past. Today it is decorated with a flag as it has been for over 60 years. Originally this rock was called Lorenzo Dow's Rock because a Methodist circuit Rider named Lorenzo Dow began to preach from it in 1790. it later became known as Pulpit Rock. It got that name from the other Methodist Circuit Riders who would stop there on the way between Durham and Haddam. It is from there that they would preach the Word of God to the surrounding farmers. They were rarely without a crowd as the preachers also brought along with them the news from the surrounding towns. Today you can still see the metal rod set into the rock (dark hole below) where the riders would hitch up their horses. We have to remember that there was no tarmac and that the road was barely big enough to accommodate two riders passing.

Around the back of the rock you can see the natural steps that assisted the preachers to their appointed duties.

In 1942 the rock had a new look and earned a new name. William Neff painted a flag on the rock as a tribute to the men who died at Pearl Harbor just a few months before. Mr. Neff was too old to join the fight himself, so to honor the country that he loved he painted the flag as a reminder to all.

After passing through different owners who did not do the flag justice, the property was sold to the granddaughter (Mrs. Drury) of Mr. Neff. They once again restored the rock back to a state that would make her grandfather proud. With hard work, much time and a fresh coat of paint, today as this nation fights the war on terrorism it is once again a proud reminder of our heritage in this land and the ones who made it great. May the Word of God be once again preached from this Pulpit to all who will hear.

Special thanks to the Haddam Historical Society and Miss Emily Weis for the information contained herein.

For more information you can email us at info 'at' biblerock.org