Welcome to Portland's First Congregational 
United Church of Christ!

We are a progressive, downtown Christian community celebrating extravagantly warm and inclusive welcome.  We are prophetic witnesses and workers:  for justice in our community and in our larger world; for creation care; for lifelong Christian education; and for radical stewardship for our church and our community.  If this vision catches your imagination, we welcome you—whoever you are, whatever household of faith into which you were born, whatever creed you profess, whatever your race, sexual orientation, or gender identity you are welcome in this place.  If you come looking for the presence of God or to rededicate yourself to God’s purpose, we invite you to join us in our mission of peace and justice by becoming a member of our church.  Our staff stands ready to assist you in every way possible. God is still speaking and the risen Christ lives in and amongst us.

First Congregational United Church of Christ was established in 1851.  Our current sanctuary and 175-foot bell tower was built in 1891, designed by Swiss architect Henry J. Hefty to resemble Old South Church in Boston.  The stained glass windows were designed by Povey Brothers of Portland.  We are people of different ages, education, races, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities.  We hold varying theological and political beliefs and come from different socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds.  We celebrate and find strength in that diversity and view it as a way of understanding the inclusiveness of God's love.

We celebrate the image of God in every person and we affirm all relationships of support that are founded on the principles of love and justice.  We encourage all members to share their talents, gifts and energy in the life, work and leadership of the church.  We are a community which is spiritually alive, intellectually curious, and open to new learning, ideas and scholarship.  We are tolerant and supportive of other religious traditions and committed to learning about and from them.