The Catholic Community of Killingworth was first entrusted to the pastoral care of Saint Mary Parish in Clinton in May 1964 under Father Walter Keenan. Although few in numbers, Father Keenan obtained permission from the local Board of Education to hold mass in the all purpose room of Killingworth Elementary School. The first Mass in Killingworth was celebrated on September 21, 1964 with 200 in attendance.

One year later, after a successful fundraising campaign, Bishop Hines gave permission to erect a building on six acres in Killingworth purchased by the diocese for $15,000. The date of purchase was August 10th; feast of Saint Lawrence the Martyr, who thus became the patron of this new Roman Catholic Church. On October 15, 1966, the new building was now completed and dedicated as the visible presence of a Killingworth Catholic Church, housing both the church and social hall.

On February 2, 1978, Father Daniel F. McGrath was named the first pastor. The Catholic community was continuing to grow, and Father McGrath instituted several building committees to research possibilities for a church and hall expansion.

On October 11, 1984, Father Michael J. O'Hara became pastor of Saint Lawrence Church. He spent time considering numerous committee reports and recommendations. On October 6, 1985, Father O'Hara developed a Parish Expansion Program (PEP) whose chief goal was to construct a new church building on the west side of the parking lot. The Parish Council served as the Building Committee.

In April of 1988, J.H. Hogan, Inc. of New Haven was chosen to build the new Church, and ground was broken on May 2, 1988. The first Mass was celebrated at Christmas Midnight Mass in 1988, with 400 in attendance. Just four years after the PEP campaign began, twenty-five years after the Catholic Church had been established in Killingworth, a new Church was erected to the honor and glory of Almighty God under the patronage of Saint Lawrence the Martyr.

On March 27, 1998, Father Michael Phillippino joined St. Lawrence as Parish Administrator. On July 1, 1998 Father Mike was named Pastor and was installed on August 9, 1998.

There are currently 754 registered families and 296 children in our CCD program. As a growing Catholic Community, we are exploring the expansion of the parish hall to accommodate space for CCD class instruction, growing ministries and parish activities. We pray for continued growth and participation of all parishioners in our St. Lawrence Catholic community, and for guidance from the Holy Spirit to lead us in faith, service and love.