Photo by Herb Couch

The United Church of Christ is a non-hierarchical, progressive, denomination committed to the unity of the church. With a rich history tying faith to social justice, the UCC continues to challenge its members to explore cutting edge theology and service to the world. A church where social action is an integral part of our faith, we actively join the struggle for human rights: walking with our brothers and sisters working for peace and justice for all.

In 1957, The United Church of Christ became a union of four separate churches: Evangelical, Reformed, Christian, and Congregational. Each local congregation has its own local autonomy, but is in covenant with the national United Church of Christ which provides leadership, vision, and services. Our motto – “that they may all be one” is Jesus’ prayer for the unity of the church. We are a community of faith that seeks to respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed.

United Church of Christ Firsts

1620 – Pilgrims seek spiritual freedom and prepare to leave Europe

1630 – Congregationalists experiment in democracy

1636 – Congregationalists founded Harvard and Yale (1701)

1640 – Congregationalists publish their first book, the Bay Psalter

1700 – Congregationalists are among the first Americans to take a stand against slavery

1839 – Congregationalists organize to free enslaved African prisoners;
the case becomes a defining moment for the movement to abolish slavery

1853 – Antoinette Brown ordained as the first woman Christian minister

1943 – Evangelical and Reformed theologian preaches a sermon that
introduces the world to the now famous Serenity Prayer

1957 – The United Church of Christ (UCC) is born

1972 – The UCC ordains the first openly gay person to mainline Protestant ministry

1973 – The UCC supports farm workers in California led by Cesar Chavez

2005 – The UCC General Synod passed a resolution supporting same-gender marriage equality, the first mainline denomination in the U.S.