First Congregational Church
Memphis, TN

First Congregational was founded 140 years ago by people who believed that slavery was wrong, that women could preach and that Christians could change the world through the power of God's love. Known during the Civil War era as Strangers Congregational Church, a place where strangers and those adrift in a strange land of Protestant fundamentalism could find sanctuary, the congregation changed its name to First Congregational in 1909.

We're a community of about 300 people. Most of us have joined in the last five years. We've come from all sorts of places spiritually. Some of us came to First Congo because we wanted to connect deeper with our Christian roots. Others of us have not been involved in church before and we're experiencing a church community for the first time.

In 1991, we became an "Open and Affirming" congregation by stating that we welcome gay and lesbian people into the church, just as we welcome all people. As a "Just Peace" congregation, we are committed to working for justice and reconciliation among all people.

Our church building has become “home” to over twenty different organizations–the Midsouth Peace and Justice Center, Desert Rose Dance, the Pilgrim Counseling Center, the MeDiA (Memphis Digital Arts) Co-op and the Revolutions Bicycle Cooperative. We are committed to working together to improve our neighborhood and the welfare of people within our entire community.

We're part of a denomination of over 6,000 congregations called the United Church of Christ--not to be confused with the "Church of Christ"! The names are similar, but the histories and theologies of the two traditions are quite different. You may be familiar with the United Church of Christ through the schools we've founded--a short list includes Harvard, Oberlin, Fisk, Yale and LeMoyne-Owen College here in Memphis.

Members of the United Church of Christ are known by their commitment to working for social change, peace and justice--and being deeply respectful of individual calling and pilgrimage. We do not try to legislate the beliefs or doctrines of others; rather, we seek to form spiritual communities where the love of God guides us into new understandings of truth together.

Memphis, TN - First Congregational Church