United Church of Christ
Brief History
Our church is proudly affiliated with the wider United Church of Christ. For information
about its history, beliefs and mission, we invite you to visit their website at www.UCC.org.
about its history, beliefs and mission, we invite you to visit their website at www.UCC.org.
First Congregational Church, UCC of Dudley
Our History to present
The First Congregational Church, UCC of Dudley, also known as Dudley Hill Church, dates back
to the incorporation of the town of Dudley in 1732. During that time, a town could only be
incorporated if a church were established. The first meeting house, known today as the Carter
house and standing at the intersection of Dudley-Oxford and Ramshorn Roads, served as a
meeting place for both worship and town meetings for a few years, until a second meeting
house was built on land donated by Nipmuc Indian John Pegan at the top of Dudley Hill.
In 1824, the meeting house was dismantled, the wood from which was used to construct a
white clapboard church on the same site. This church stood only 66 years before it was
consumed by fire in 1890.
Later that same year, the present day church was constructed in the same location, as
a gift by Hezekiah Conant, a local scientist, inventor and philanthropist. Its tower houses
one of Hezekiah's unique clocks, a clock which continues to keep time today. In 1989, under
the direction of Rev. Stehr, an addition, the Stehr wing, was built onto the north side of the
church, This wing houses Sunday School classrooms, the Dartt-Davis Pastor's Study, the
Eaton Music Room (combined music room and library), Penniman Parlor and the church office.
On November 19, 2006, after almost 2 years of open discussions, forums, and intensive soul searching
under the guidance of Rev. John White, the Church voted to become Open and Affirming, meaning that
ALL are welcome to our church as they are, regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender identification,
economic status, political stance, etc. We welcome any who care to join us on our faith journey to
becoming the children God has created us to be. Then in 2008-2009, the church tower underwent a
significant restoration project, to ensure that it will remain standing for the next 100 years.
As the First Congregational Church, UCC of Dudley, we seek to provide opportunities to share the Gospel
of Jesus Christ, to encourage education, discipline, fellowship and social concern, to be a beacon of hope
to all the world around us and to spread the word of God, as we continue our journey on the Way of Jesus.
to the incorporation of the town of Dudley in 1732. During that time, a town could only be
incorporated if a church were established. The first meeting house, known today as the Carter
house and standing at the intersection of Dudley-Oxford and Ramshorn Roads, served as a
meeting place for both worship and town meetings for a few years, until a second meeting
house was built on land donated by Nipmuc Indian John Pegan at the top of Dudley Hill.
In 1824, the meeting house was dismantled, the wood from which was used to construct a
white clapboard church on the same site. This church stood only 66 years before it was
consumed by fire in 1890.
Later that same year, the present day church was constructed in the same location, as
a gift by Hezekiah Conant, a local scientist, inventor and philanthropist. Its tower houses
one of Hezekiah's unique clocks, a clock which continues to keep time today. In 1989, under
the direction of Rev. Stehr, an addition, the Stehr wing, was built onto the north side of the
church, This wing houses Sunday School classrooms, the Dartt-Davis Pastor's Study, the
Eaton Music Room (combined music room and library), Penniman Parlor and the church office.
On November 19, 2006, after almost 2 years of open discussions, forums, and intensive soul searching
under the guidance of Rev. John White, the Church voted to become Open and Affirming, meaning that
ALL are welcome to our church as they are, regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender identification,
economic status, political stance, etc. We welcome any who care to join us on our faith journey to
becoming the children God has created us to be. Then in 2008-2009, the church tower underwent a
significant restoration project, to ensure that it will remain standing for the next 100 years.
As the First Congregational Church, UCC of Dudley, we seek to provide opportunities to share the Gospel
of Jesus Christ, to encourage education, discipline, fellowship and social concern, to be a beacon of hope
to all the world around us and to spread the word of God, as we continue our journey on the Way of Jesus.
