The Faith of Our Ancestors - History of First Congregational Church

The First Congregational Church was organized on February 1, 1849, with 16 charter members, and was known as the First Congregational Church of Sylvan.  In 1851 worship services were held in a schoolhouse at Pierceville.     During the summer of 1852 a newly constructed church building was dedicated on the church’s present site, and a few years later the name  was changed to First Congregational Church of Chelsea.  This was the only church in the village for eight years.

In 1871 the church was remodeled and enlarged, and because it now housed one of the two heated basements in the village, the church was almost constantly used for community social gatherings and village meetings.  Consequently, the village council voted to erect the first lamppost outside of the village’s business district in front of the church.

On February 18, 1894, the church building was destroyed by fire, so a new one was constructed.  On January 31, 1895, dedicatory services were held for the new building. 

The Congregation voted on December 5,  1960 to become a member of the United Church of Christ, a newly formed denomination resulting from a merger of the old Congregational Christian and Evangelical and Reformed Churches.  The official name of the church was changed to First Congregational Church of Chelsea (United Church of Christ) in an effort to retain the church’s heritage, and yet to identify it as a member of the new denomination.

 As this community of faith looks toward the future, it seeks to preserve from its past the qualities of faithfulness,  dedication, perseverance, and service.  Also, as in the past, we strive:  to provide meaningful and relevant religious services and activities; to serve the community and the state; and to contribute to the mission fields beyond.