If you’ve ever taken the commuter rail from Melrose into Boston (or vice versa) you’ve ridden on a piece of First Congregational Church history.

You see, by the year our church was founded in 1848, that railroad line–which had been opened from Boston to Lawrence–made it possible for a number of Congregationalists to move out of Boston into what was then the largely undeveloped area of North Malden (now Melrose).  

Trouble was, there was no congregational church in North Malden.  There was a Methodist Church but, back then, most protestants did not cross denominational lines.

Dr. Levi Gould, who lived directly across from the Methodist Church on Main Street, began holding congregational worship services in his home in early 1848 but that only lasted for two Sundays because too many people showed up!  Another Congregationalist in town, Jonathan Cochran, had a home with a larger parlor and worship services moved to his home.  

It was in Jonathan Cochran’s home that the first pastor of our church began to lead worship: Rev. Stillman Pratt (a wonderful, early 1800’s name if I’ve ever heard one!).  Again, though, too many people showed up!  That’s when our modern-day commuter rail came back into the picture.

The Passenger Room of the Boston & Maine Railroad Station was then used for Sunday worship services.  This was located at the end of Essex Street near what is now Cedar Park.  Soon after, with the approval of an area Council of Congregational Churches including Wakefield, Stoneham, Malden, Lynnfield, Chelsea, Everett, Saugus, South Malden, and Medford, permission was granted to form a congregational church in Melrose.

After land was purchased on West Foster Street (where we remain today!) in the fall of 1848 for $3,500, the first “Meeting House” was built and our church began its mission and ministry in Melrose.

Throughout this program year, we have been celebrating the 175 years since those early days of our church and this Sunday will be a highlight!  Our Area Conference Minister from the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ will be joining us for worship and will share the sermon.  

After the worship service, we will enjoy a 175^th Anniversary Brunch in the Narthex where we will be joined by the Mayor of Melrose who will bring greetings on the anniversary of FCC.  The Archival/Library Room will be open and other history items will be out so that you can learn more tidbits about the fascinating legacy of our community of faith from its pre-Civil War days to today.

Please join us as we celebrate a dynamic legacy that is guiding us into the future!

See you in church,

–Rev. Dominic