First Congregational

          Church       

          in Canandaigua, New York

   

 

We're a different kind of church. We value and respect diversity in the ways we express our faith. We enjoy thoughtful dialog about faith issues. We encourage each other to work for justice and to care for people in need in our community and in our world.

At the First Congregational Church, we know God is still speaking. We invite you to learn more about us, our ministries and our programs. If you are seeking a faith community of thoughtful, compassionate people who are open to diversity and committed to caring, we invite you to join us at 9:30 a.m. this Sunday morning for worship and fellowship. To learn more about the history of our church, click here.

Click here to reach the Canandaigua Chamber of Commerce.

What is a Congregational Church and a United Church of Christ?

     In 1957, two of America's oldest denominations joined together to form the United Church of Christ:  the Congregational Churches and the Evangelical and Reformed Churches.  Each UCC church is unique, but we all hold to several basic beliefs about our churches:

We hold to unity in our faith in Christ, yet diversity in how we express our faith.

There is no test of belief that we must pass, but we continually strive to express our faith in our lives.

We believe God still acts in our life and our world and continues to help us to understand who God is.

All members of our church are called to minister to our members and to our community, and to respond to God's call to them directly.

Although we cooperate in mission together, each congregation is free to act in the ways it feels to be led by God.

We are involved in our community in many ways and are deeply committed to ministering to the needs of individuals and society, and to seeking justice and liberation for all people.

Would you like to learn more about the United Church of Christ? Click here to reach the United Church of Christ website?

                          Our History

The First Congregational Church Society of the Town of Canandaigua, NY, with the leadership of nine men and women and the inspiration of Zadok Hunn, was incorporated in 1799. Services were held in homes and barns under the spiritual leadership of the first “settled” minister, Rev. Timothy Field, a young Yale graduate, who served from 1799 to 1807.
                                                                                 
Thirteen years later, in 1812, with a membership of about forty communicants, the Society erected the present stately meeting house much as you see it today. While the plans were brought from New England, the architect is unknown. The roof trusses were made of hand-hewn wooden beams, fastened with wooden pegs, and the exterior walls were made of bricks from Phelps. NY. The imposing Federal-style building, with its Ionic pilasters, wheel windows and pediment swag of teakwood is a testimony to the courage and faith of that small body of sturdy inhabitants. The arched portico and the gold-clad barbless feather weather vane atop its domed bell tower set it apart from the early New England church edifices - truly unique!

The construction cost of $12,996.31 was borne by the congregation. Funds were raised by subscriptions. A total of $5,000 was pledged --- one-third in cash and two-thirds in cattle and grain. A mortgage covered the remaining $8,000.

The interior, with its enclosed box pews and amber glass windows and horseshoe balcony still carries the pioneer concept of worship. The magnificent pipe organ was built in 1882.

Skillfully, new Christian Education space and handicapped seating have been added as the congregation remains “loyal to their past by keeping their faces toward the future.” We strive to balance our strong heritage with the reality of the 21st Century.

Designated as a National Landmark by the U.S. Department of Interior in 1958, the building exterior remains unchanged with the exception of the adjoining Gothic Revival chapel constructed in 1873.

In 1993 the church members were proud recipients of the coveted Tender Loving Care Award bestowed by the Landmark Society of Western New York, recognizing the meticulous care and outstanding preservation of “one of the oldest building of worship in western New York State.”

To learn more historical information regarding the church, please contact the Church Historian by e-mail at fcccan@frontiernet.net. Please include your full name and e-mail address in your request.

 

To learn more historical information about Canandaigua and its buildings, click here to reach the Ontario County Historical Society.