Welcome to the First Congregational Church in Bristol
The First Congregational Church in Bristol is a vital, progressive Christian community of faith with long roots in our community.
We promise you our friendship and prayers as we share the hopes and labors of the Church of Jesus the Christ. We pray that God grant that — loving and being loved, serving and being served, forgiving and being forgiven, offering grace and receiving grace — we may dwell together in love, unity and hope.
We are Bristol’s first and founding church. We have been here since 1680, formed by the same leaders who founded the town of Bristol a few months after the church was gathered. In 1785, more than a century after our founding, our congregation and our sixth Minister, the Reverend Mr. Henry Wight, began the Bristol 4th of July Parade and Patriotic Exercises. So we are the Founders of America’s Oldest Fourth of July Celebration.
Today, our congregation is known for its broad support for our community and our willingness to speak out regarding social justice issues. Sunday services are relevant and thought-provoking.
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!
Upcoming Events
Come to Two Congregational Gatherings
You are invited to two Congregational Gatherings on Saturday, April 13, 2024 from 10:00am – 12:30pm and Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 10:00am – 12:00 noon to discuss future priorities for FCC Bristol. The Church Council, Capital Campaign Committee and Sanctuary Construction Committee invite the full congregation and all friends…
Support One Great Hour of Sharing
On March 10, 2024, we will be taking up a collection in support of One Great Hour of Sharing. The theme for the 2024 One Great Hour of Sharing® is Share the Light. The United Church of Christ invites you to participate in this special mission offering. One Great Hour…
Good Night Lights
Join the “Good Night Lights” to shine a light of hope to children in hospital. Every Monday night First Congregational Church “Good Night Lighters” travel to the Squantum Association in East Providence to send a good night signal to children at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Anyone is welcome to join the…
One Great Hour of Sharing®
One Great Hour of Sharing® is one of four special mission offerings of the United Church of Christ. This Lenten Offering supports the disaster, refugee, and development ministries of the United Church of Christ within Wider Church Ministries. While OGHS offerings are usually made before Easter, gifts designated toward OGHS…
News
Capital Campaign Progress and Next Steps
On Sunday, April 7, 2024, the Chair of the Capital Campaign to raise funding for the preservation of the Sanctuary, Caroline Jacobus, provided the following report and invitation to the congregation: A few Sundays ago, on what Rev. Soukup called…
Game Night is a Winner
Start with vats of Mac n’ Cheese, add some Potluck salads and desserts, and stir in a cartload of Games and you have the ingredients for a night of fun! On Friday, March 8, more than 30 parishioners of all…
Come to Star Island this Summer, as a Family or Youth!!
Our own Jennifer Johnson will be at Star Island off the coast of Portsmouth, NH for the week of July 26 – Aug 4. Join her in all of the fun, activities, great fellowship — and great food. If you…
Fun at Silver Lake Summer Camp
Calling all kids!! Make new friends and join in the adventure!
Worship Service Videos
Worship Service for Sunday April 14, 2024
Worship service by: Rev. Dr. Nancy Hamlin Soukup; Scripture: Acts 3:1-12,16; Scripture: Luke 24:36b-48; Sermon: “You Are Witnesses to these Marvelous Things”; Click here to view the Bulletin in a new window; https://vimeo.com/934583494?share=copy Click CC/Subtitles for Closed CaptionsClick icon for…
Worship Service for Sunday April 7, 2024
Worship service by: Rev. Dr. Nancy Hamlin Soukup; Scripture: Acts 4:32-35; Scripture: John 20:19-31; Message: “And, Jesus Breathed on Them”; Click here to view the Bulletin in a new window; https://vimeo.com/931850419?share=copy Click CC/Subtitles for Closed CaptionsClick icon for full screen…
Easter Worship Service for Sunday March 31, 2024
Worship service by: Rev. Dr. Nancy Hamlin Soukup; Scripture: Acts 10:34-43; Scripture: Mark 16:1-8; Message: “On that Great and Glorious Morning”; Click here to view the Bulletin in a new window; https://vimeo.com/929343843?share=copy Click CC/Subtitles for Closed CaptionsClick icon for full…
Worship Service for Thursday March 28, 2024
Maundy Thursday Service by: Rev. Dr. Nancy Hamlin Soukup; Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Scripture: John 13:1-17,31b-35; Message: “The New Commandment”; Click here to view the Bulletin in a new window; https://vimeo.com/928892327?share=copy Click CC/Subtitles for Closed CaptionsClick icon for full screen…