Our Church Story
History of The Well Chapel in Southeastern, CT
Early Days: Vineyard Christian Fellowship
The Well Chapel began as The Vineyard Christian Fellowship in the living room of Founding Pastor, Joe Paskewich, in New London, CT around 1980. Pastor Joe was saved by Christ while homeless and hitchhiking across the country. After he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as His Savior, Pastor Joe heard the call to return to Connecticut and “tell his friends about Jesus”.
Becoming Calvary Chapel of Eastern Connecticut
Pastor Joe obeyed the call and a church was born. Not long after, Pastor Joe and the church were adopted by the Calvary Chapel affiliation of churches and became Calvary Chapel of Eastern Connecticut. The distinctives of, verse-by-verse, expository teaching, emphasis on the authority of Scripture, grace, community and loving people regardless of where they came from, were always the main tenants of Calvary Chapel of Eastern Connecticut.
The Next Chapter as The Well Chapel
Pastor Chris Conley happened upon Calvary Chapel of Eastern Connecticut while working for a party rentals company as he delivered a bounce house to the church for a Sunday picnic. Pastor Mike Caruso approached Chris and lovingly told him that our church is a “spiritual people, not a religious people”. Chris later came to the church to check it out. He saw that the Bible was taught simply and there were no expectations or strings. After experiencing the love of Christ, he accepted an invitation given by Pastor Joe and was saved. This brought relief and rejoicing to Chris’ soon to be wife, Darlene who had recently accepted Christ and was diligently praying for Chris.
Over the next 20 years, Chris and Darlene served in the church in various roles. They set out in 2020 to plant a church in Florida with the vision that was birthed in their hearts based on the account of Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman as depicted in John Chapter 4. Their best friends and ministry partners, Steve and Nina Meigs went with them. The team loved how the Lord met the woman in John Chapter 4 where she was. He loved her, showed her value and worth yet also called out her sin. She then sparked a revival in her town as she introduced her Jesus to everyone in her community.
After about three years of ministry, Chris and Darlene linked arms with Bill and Rebecca LaMorey in Sarasota, Florida. Bill and Rebecca had recently moved to that area after planting a church in West Hartford with the help of Pastor Joe, 18 years prior. Bill and Rebecca planted One Life Church and the team that Chris and Darlene led joined One Life as well.
The call to pastor Calvary Chapel Eastern Connecticut was always present and never went away for Chris and Darlene. In late 2025, Pastor Joe asked Chris if he wanted to assume the role of Lead Pastor of Calvary Chapel of Eastern Connecticut and begin the next chapter of this beloved fellowship of Christ followers. Chris and Darlene accepted and Chris assumed the role of Lead Pastor formerly as of July 1, 2026.
Chris and Darlene are called to maintain the “DNA” of the church in which they were saved and grew in the Lord for over 20 years. Yet they further were called to their vision from John Chapter 4. While they searched for the woman in Florida, they soon found she was in New England, and they also found that is where the well is.