We are an open and affirming, multigenerational, warm, smaller, child friendly congregation seeking to keep faith connected to every day life. Members are community centered, and theologically diverse.
We are a congregation called together by God in Jesus Christ to share life in the Holy Spirit. We believe that all people are loved by God and seek to ensure that everyone feels this love through our extravagant welcome and radical hospitality. People of all ages, races, genders, and sexual orientations, are invited to full participation in the life of the congregation- its worship, its sacraments, and its leadership. We seek to give thanks to God for all the blessings we have received through worship, education, fellowship, and service to our local community, our nation, and all of God’s creation.
The Congregational Church UCC is a member congregation in the United Church of Christ. The United Church of Christ, or UCC, is a mainline protestant denomination formed in 1957 through the merger of The Congregational and Christian Churches and the German Evangelical and Reformed Church. The UCC has long standing commitments to ecumenism, interfaith cooperation, and social, racial, environmental, and economic justice.
We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father, and to his deeds we testify:
He calls the worlds into being, creates man in his own image and sets before him the ways of life and death.
He seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
He judges men and nations by his righteous will declared through prophets and apostles.
In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord, he has come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to himself.
He bestows upon us his Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.
He calls us into his church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be his servants in the service of men, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ’s baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory.
He promises to all who trust him forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, his presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in his kingdom which has no end.
Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto him.
Amen.
As one of the earliest churches in Rochester, our church is proud of the past and excited for the future. During our long history we have experienced both growth and loss; controversy and excitement. Through it all, our focus continues to be on integrating faith into the community and everyday life.
Southeastern portion of the Minnesota Territory experiences influx of settlers, primarily from the north central tier of states and New England. They have deep roots in the Congregationalism of the East with a reverence for independence and democratic principles and a generous spirit of fellowship.
Ground for the new building is broken September 1963. The first service at the present location (974 Skyline Dr. SW) is held September 6th 1964. Rev. Dr. Wesley C. Ewert is the minister at the time.
Ground for the new building is broken September 1963. The first service at the present location (974 Skyline Dr. SW) is held September 6th 1964. Rev. Dr. Wesley C. Ewert is the minister at the time.
Ground for the new building is broken September 1963. The first service at the present location (974 Skyline Dr. SW) is held September 6th 1964. Rev. Dr. Wesley C. Ewert is the minister at the time.
Church installs a faceted glass window on the north wall of the sanctuary (choir loft) with colors complementing the windows at the front of the sanctuary.
First pipe organ installed
