The Community
Greenwich encompasses about 48 square miles in the southwestern tip of Connecticut, and enjoys 32 miles of coastline on Long Island Sound. It is sbordered by Stamford, CT and Portcester, NY, and is just 27 miles from New York City. It presents a mixture of suburban small town ambiance and metropolitan sophistication. Greenwich residents enjoy exceptional geographic beauty, excellent community services, schools, shopping and restaurants, as well as outstanding parks, recreational facilities and cultural activities. Residents are also close to the many attractions and benefits available in NYC and in neighboring communities.

Greenwich has a population of about 60,000 with a median age of 43 and a median household income of $126,000. The town has an active business community, with many people commuting into Greenwich for employment opportunities. Some residents commute to NYC or surrounding communities for their work. The town is serviced by the Metro North railway system, with easy access to I-95 and the Merritt Parkway.

While Greenwich has long been known as a homogeneously affluent community, there are, in reality, a large number of moderate-income heritages, and there are growing Asian and Hispanic populations. Housing, however, is expensive, creating a challenge for many newcomers and those on fixed incomes. The town has several low-to-moderate income housing projects, and there are some senior residences. There are, in addition, numerous condominiums and apartment buildings.

Greenwich residents are fortunate to have many public parks and playgrounds, including two beach-side parks on Long Island Sound open year round, and two island parks serviced by ferries during the summer. Greenwich Point deserves special recognition as a magnificent 147 acre peninsula park and beach compound, where joggers, walkers, bicyclists, roller skaters, picnickers, fishermen, swimmers, sunbathers, sailors, frisbee players, kite flyers, sandcastle builders and nature lovers all embrace its natural beauty. The town also has an enclosed skating arena, a renowned public golf course, a skateboard park, marinas, several nature preserves with trails, numerous tennis and paddle courts and abundant year-round sporting activities for the entire family.

Greenwich has a Senior Center, two Teen Centers, an Art Center, an Audubon Center, a Garden Education Center, its own Symphony Orchestra, Choral Society and local Museum, and an active Historical Society. There is a YMCA and a YWCA, as well as a Boys and Girls Club. Arts are important to the community, with many exhibits, concerts and productions. May brings the annual Arts Walk downtown, with merchants displaying works of local artists, coupled with music and dance. Summer brings outdoors concerts and Shakespeare by the Sound.

Greenwich retains many elements of its small town heritage. Families delight in celebrating annual traditions like the Memorial Day and St. Patrick's Day parades, and the community turns out en masse for the July 4th fireworks. Volunteer firemen augment professional personnel. The town benefits from a strong commitment to volunteerism - both in town government and boards, at the hospital and at numerous community organizations and charities. Volunteers even run an organized Book Shed at the local dump, where residents can drop off or claim free used books.

Greenwich has a beautiful new hospital, affiliated with Yale New Haven Hospital, several local nursing homes and a Senior Day Care Center. The town has a widely acclaimed public library system, which has the second highest circulation in New England, behind only Boston.

There are eleven public elementary schools which feed into three middle schools and ultimately one high school. Nearly 73% (about 8,800) of school-age children attend public schools. Most of the remaining students attend one of the seven private day schools in town. Adult Education is also available, and there are numerous educational opportunities available nearby, including major theological seminaries and several colleges and universities.

Greenwich has a variety of religious denominations. There are three Presbyterian congregations, five Catholic, two Congregational, two Baptist, two Lutheran, two Methodist, an Episcopalian, Bethel AME, a Christian Scientist congregation, and three synagogues, one of which shares our First Presbyterian Church facility. There are also five non-denominational congregations.

First Presbyterian Church is located at the very top of Greenwich Avenue, in the center of town.