LACC’s September Featured Member
First Congregational Church is Featured Member
The First Congregational Church, a congregation of the United Church of Christ, has been bringing people together in Littleton to build and support the community and to worship for over 200 years. The original church building, including the sanctuary as we know it today, was first occupied and ready for its congregation in 1833.
About the Church
The sanctuary is well known for its seventeen stained glass windows installed in 1901. Fourteen of the windows are memorial windows gifted by or in honor of citizens of Littleton prior to that time. There is so much history of the building that church leadership published a church history pamphlet in the early 2000s. It is still available today.
Services
Today the church remains as busy as ever. They host weekly worship services on Sundays, open their doors for community meetings, and host many church-run community events. Including the Pollyanna Day pancake breakfast and their upcoming 6th Annual RiverWalk for MS to benefit the National MS Society on September 21st. As well as their popular Harvest Supper coming up this year on October 5th.
The Parish Hall also houses Shining Lights Learning Center. It is a Christian daycare and learning center for area children ages 1-5 which is a mission of the church that opened in 2006.
In a recent conversation with Pastor David Weddington and members of the church, while the physical space is certainly breathtaking and full of history and vibrancy, it is the people of the congregation who keep this strong community thriving.
Estelle LaFleur a member of the church’s community outreach group talked passionately about the committee’s new idea of a “Little Free Pantry”. It will soon be opening on the Church grounds. “The premise is so simple,” says Estelle. “Take what you need, leave what you can.” It is all community-driven. Anything from food to socks can be placed in the pantry. Those who are in need can simply take what they need.
Community Outreach
The committee hopes to use Facebook as a method of sharing the current needs of the pantry. And putting out an “all call” when needs arise. The Little Free Pantry is meant to complement existing food pantries in the area. “The big thing about the Little Free Pantry is its 24 hours a day, 7 days a week access,” says Alice Muh. “That’s why we felt that it wouldn’t compete [with other area food pantries] but still fill a community need.”
Another involved member of the church community, Ron Bolt, recently headed up the successful application by the church for grant funds given by the State Homeland Security Program. Seven houses of worship in New Hampshire received funds to upgrade and bolster security at their facilities. Ron worked with a group of congregants and with Littleton Public Safety officials to gather data and information. This led to their being awarded funds to make much-needed upgrades to the safety and security of the space.
The First Congregational Church welcomes all people into their community. Alice Muh shared that years back, “We as a Church wanted to figure out – what are we doing here, sitting here on Main Street?”. They concluded that they wanted to be “a loving community within the community”. From that came their Community Outreach Group.
First Congregational Church, Littleton is located at 189 Main Street in Littleton, NH. Find out more about public events and happenings on Facebook at “First Congregational Church of Littleton NH”. They’re on the web at 1stconglittleton.org. The office can be reached at 603-444-3376.
About the Littleton Area Chamber
The Littleton Area Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization. Our mission is to promote economic development in the Littleton area by attracting and growing local business, providing valuable resources to our membership and branding the area for tourists and relocation.
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