First Congregational Church UCC Harwich

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History

IMG_4689From whatever direction one approaches Harwich Center – North, South, East or West – one can see from some distance the graceful spire of First Church rising above the tree tops.

And so it has been for over one hundred and twenty-five years, for it was in 1854, before the Civil War, that the addition of the 100 foot spire transformed the rather plain third meeting house built in 1832 into our present edifice of charm and beauty.

It was many years before this, in 1747, that a small group of men and the newly chosen minister, Edward Pell, covenanted together in the customary “Congregational Way” to organize the “Church of Christ in the second precinct of Harwich.”

History_1bThe minister’s pay was to be 16 bushels of rye, 10 bushels of wheat, 100 bushels of corn, 16 cords of wood and 20 cords of pine wood.This first meeting house was an unpretentious, un-plastered structure, twelve pews and benches.

A second meeting house built in 1792, outlived its usefulness in forty years and was replaced by the third.

Perhaps it is of equal interest that this church is directly connected to the first church in Plymouth, for its earliest members were from the Eastham congregation of people who moved there in 1644. Over the years since 1854, there have been changes, remodeling additions and yet, the church still conveys the spirit and reflects the style of its historic past.

Some hundred years ago, the ladies of the Sewing Circle had a chapel constructed for religious and social purposes which today is our Parish House. Across the street, the parsonage given by Sarah Brooks in 1899 has been remodeled into space for offices and other activities. In early times, people were referred to as “old comers” and “new comers.”

Today First Church includes a healthy mix of both old and new comers. Many are retirees from various parts of the country and young couples as well. We invite all “comers“ to share in the activities, the spirit, vision and the history of First Church that its spire may long continue to be a landmark-an inspiration reflecting the enduring aspirations and highest hopes of all who participate and worship here.

Join us in our vision, that with God’s help we strive to minister to all generations, to advance discipleship, and to serve the community. Reflect on our past, become a part of our future.

We invite you to join us in personal growth & the worship of God.

Sunday Worship

We are an Open and Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ.

During the health pandemic, we invite worshippers to join us on Sundays at 10:30 am. We meet in safety for a 45-minute service on our (encrypted) video-conference platform.

How to Find Us

Past Sermons

Sermon: Plan? What Plan?

December 27, 2017 By FCCH Staff

Sermon: Worry, Be Happy

December 18, 2017 By FCCH Staff

Sermon: Thoughts for 3 a.m.

December 11, 2017 By FCCH Staff

Sermon: The Moods of Christian Life

December 5, 2017 By FCCH Staff

Sermon: Who Are We to Judge?

November 27, 2017 By FCCH Staff

Sermon: Keeping One’s Marbles amid the Whistling Tree Frogs

November 20, 2017 By FCCH Staff

Sermon: Interpreting the Bible

November 7, 2017 By FCCH Staff

Sermon: Luther, Schmuther!

October 30, 2017 By FCCH Staff

Sermon: A Mechanistic God

October 16, 2017 By FCCH Staff

Sermon: Knowing Who We Are

October 12, 2017 By FCCH Staff

Sermon: The Freedom of Constraint

October 2, 2017 By FCCH Staff

Sermon: Daytime TV and Bonbons

September 25, 2017 By FCCH Staff

Sermon: Mind Your Own Knitting

September 18, 2017 By FCCH Staff

Sermon: Stasis, Novelty or Reform

September 11, 2017 By FCCH Staff

Sermon: Decisions, Decisions

September 5, 2017 By FCCH Staff

Sermon: Everyone’s Got One

August 28, 2017 By FCCH Staff

Sermon: Self-Righteousness, Othering, and Violence

August 21, 2017 By FCCH Staff

Sermon: Oh, This!

August 14, 2017 By FCCH Staff

Sermon: From Heel to Healer

August 8, 2017 By FCCH Staff

Sermon: Unexpectedly

July 31, 2017 By FCCH Staff

Sermon: Surviving Hope

July 25, 2017 By FCCH Staff

Sermon: Prevenient Grace

July 17, 2017 By FCCH Staff

Sermon: The Strange Persistence of Guilt

July 11, 2017 By FCCH Staff

Sermon: Freedom

July 3, 2017 By FCCH Staff

Sermon: Looking for the Lord

June 26, 2017 By FCCH Staff

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