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welcome!

I’m Reverend Dominic Taranowski and I’d like to welcome you to the First
Congregational Church (FCC) in Melrose, United Church of Christ….

Our last 175+ years have been marked by many memories and milestones, not to mention challenges along the way. Would you believe the church was destroyed by fire not once, but twice? Disaster first struck in 1869 and almost 100 years later, history repeated itself with a similar tragedy in 1967. Each time, we rebuilt and the congregation grew stronger.

Aside from providing an intergenerational church with something for everyone – from our vibrant worship service on Sunday morning, to our Children & Youth programming, to our mission work, to our public advocacy presence – the FCC building is available and is used widely by the larger community. Notable is the Melrose Day Care Center, which is open 12 hours a day, year-round and has served thousands of children and their families since 1971.

A lot of churches say “come as you are,” but we really mean it. It doesn’t matter your age or your background or your story: you are welcome here. We strive to create a deeper relationship with God but also an outward expression of that faith in the wider world. The church provides opportunities for both of those. You can renew and strengthen your relationship with God and also find ways to live out that faith on a daily basis.

For our church to move successfully into the future, it is important to have a strong appreciation of our past. We welcome you to explore everything the FCC has to offer and hope you will be part of our future.

See you in church!

Join us weekly at 10 am for worship

Join us in-person Sundays at 10 am. We are open and affirming and welcome people of all religious backgrounds as well as interfaith couples and those who may be “trying on church” again, or for the first time. Wherever you are in your religious journey, we welcome you!

Rev. Dominic’s weekly article

Click here to see more of Rev. Dominic’s weekly articles

Audio and VIDEO Updates

Reverend Dominic posts occasional updates to share with the congregation.  You can find these under the “AUDIO & VIDEO MESSAGES” tab at the top menu on any of our website pages. 

Mariko’s music recordings

Want to experience our music ministry from home?  The best way, second to attending church in person, is to navigate to our “Sermon Spotlights” on YouTube! You can also go to the menu tab “Worship and Music” to listen to some recordings made by our music director, Mariko Matsumura. 

Social Media

Members can view additional videos posted on our private friends-and-members-only Facebook page, the Virtual Narthex of First Congregational Church in Melrose UCC. Everyone is invited to join our public-facing Facebook page, located at facebook.com/FCCMelrose.

In-depth review

Church blogger George Parks recently attended our congregation and had this to say: “This is a warm, active, community church, that provides space for personal growth and contemplation, as well as advocacy for the greater good of the community. Melrose and the surrounding communities are very lucky to have FCC of Melrose contributing to the greater good.”  Read his review here.

Get to Know Us

We seek to foster the joy, love, and fellowship that are part in parcel in our Christian community. We have a great time when we’re together. Our hope is that our church will brighten lives and not subtract joy.

These are exciting days for our church as we grow in the spirit and love of Christ. We have much to celebrate at First Congregational Church. We are an Open and Affirming congregation with a growing membership. Our youth are engaged and eager to contribute to our church missions. We have innovative and exciting ministries that involve both new and lifelong members of our church family. We have a wealth of history that reflects our members’ desire to make a difference! Please click one of the links above to find out more.

Children & Youth

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From newborns to graduating high schoolers, our church provides a dynamic program with an active enrollment of children and youth. Taught by members of the congregation, our church school teaches the basic values and stories of our faith and encourages a questioning attitude on the part of students. The goals of the program are to help children claim the Christian faith as their own and instill in them the truth that they are valued by God and the community.

Our church divides the classes for our Children & Youth programming depending on the grade makeup of students for that particular church year.  Currently, we have a separate class for K-2 and 3-5. We also have a youth group for those in grades 6-12. Faith development, service, and recreation hallmark this important ministry.