Safe Church Policy
Safe Church Policies have become standard and expected for churches of all denominations across our country. We have taken every step we can to make sure our church home is an accessible and safe place for all who come through our doors.
Our Church History
First Congregational Church
1828 - 2028
--Where yesterday and tomorrow meet in a Church for today.
As our Church prepares to celebrate its Bicentennial, we pause to consider how best to share our story. A simple rendition of dates and facts, years of dedications, numbers of congregants and building additions all help in framing who we are.
But then - Can a building sing? Can the walls talk? Can the bells still ring for you and for me?
When you come into our Church you cannot help but hear the songs sung and prayers whispered over these many years. These, along with the weddings, births and deaths honored, all form the fabric of a people and its city woven slowly year after year.
Please join us in the weaving.
Welcome to The First Congregational Church as we enter into the future together.
Our Early Beginnings:
It began with our forbearers in 1828, the First Presbyterian Society of Manchester and the First Congregational Society of Amoskeag. Both churches struggled to keep alive their religious worship in the community. On August 15, 1839, their individual struggles became, by mutual consent, the formation of the First Congregational Church of Amoskeag.
The meetings of the newly combined congregations lead to our first building from land donated by the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company. Out first home, with a capacity of 900 people, was located near to the growing and vibrant city center of Hanover Street, close to where the Palace Theatre is today.
By the mid 1870s with an ever-growing congregation and a building in need of major repairs a new home needed to be built, which resulted in a move just up the street! Our present site at the corner of Hanover and Union Street began as our house of worship in May, 1880 with a seating capacity of 1,204 and a future as strong as its history.
Please enjoy these books: ( We are in the process of digitizing these documents )
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“A History of the First Congregational Church” 1978 by Selma E. Naccach Hoff in celebration of our 150th year.
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“The Samuel West Windows” 2000 Text by Florence R. Merrill and Photography by Gary Samson.
