At the heart of the Middle Haddam Historic District, the James Higgins House is a charming saltbox colonial built c.1760, possibly earlier. Higgins was a prominent cabinet maker in the Colchester School, producing pieces that now grace museums and important private collections. The house, which sits on a parcel of land it shares with Christ Church (1786) and its 1840 brick fellowship hall, once the northwest district schoolhouse, served as the church rectory from 1880 until recently. This special property is now offered to lease. The building consists of 8 rooms, with a kitchen, full bath/laundry room, study, dining room and living room on the first floor; four bedrooms and a full bath on the second floor. Tenant parking is in the church lot, with a staircase down to the back door. There is a small yard overlooking Mine Brook, which rushes by en route to the Connecticut River - a short walk away. Amenities in the Village include a public launch for un-motorized watercraft, a post office, library and two churches. In addition to the Connecticut River, the area boasts abundant opportunities for nature-lovers, with myriad state and local parks, lakes, forests and watercourses. The property is 12 minutes from Middletown, 30 minutes to Hartford and 6 minutes to East Hampton or Portland. Boston and New York are both approximately 2.5 hours drive, and Rhode Island beaches just 1 hour. No pets or smoking.