History

Our church was organized with seven members on December 18, 1850, under the Wisconsin Union of Congregational and Presbyterian Churches.  In the spirit of that Union, the charter members chose the name "Congregational" but adopted the Presbyterian form of governance.  New residents settled rapidly in the little village of Appleton, many of them Congregationalists from New York and New England, leading the members to change to Congregational governance in January of 1852, when they adopted the proper name of "First Congregational Church and Society of Appleton, Wisconsin."  It was common for Congregational churches of that era to have two separate organizations, with the "church" taking responsibility for spiritual matters and the "society" handling its business affairs.

Worship services were held in several sites before a permanent home was built.  Construction of the "Little Brown Church" began in February of 1852 on a lot donated by Amos A. Lawrence.  Members of the Society went miles into the forest surrounding the village to cut timber for the building.  On May 29, 1853 the first service was held in the still uncompleted building.  The 36 x 45 foot structure, built at a total cost of $2,000, was formally dedicated on January 12, 1854, the first church building completed in the village.  The building was lit by candles and heated by stoves.  A melodian provided the music until it was replaced by a reed organ, and finally, in 1869, a pipe organ.

The church began as a mission congregation, receiving support from churches in the East.  It became self-supporting in 1858, by which point the membership had reached 125.  It then entered into mission work of its own, both in the other wards of Appleton and in the nearby communities of New London and Hortonville.  The congregation was steeped in Puritan ideals of personal discipline and moderation, but also shaped by Enlightenment perspectives elevating tolerance, racial justice and social ministry.  Early members were outspoken proponents of the Abolitionist and Temperance movements.

The Ladies Sewing Circle devoted four years of effort to earning money to purchase a 1000 pound bell for the church in 1861.  This same bell hangs in our present church building.  In 1870 many members were lost when those from Presbyterian backgrounds formed their own congregation (Memorial Presbyterian Chruch), but still by 1875 the congregation had grown to more than 300 members.

It became clear that the "Little Brown Church," despite several expansions, was no longer adequate for the needs of the congregation.  A lot on the southwest corner of Lawrence and Pearl (Oneida) Streets was purchased.  Construction of a new building, largely faced with red sandstone from Lake Superior, began in 1888 and was completed the following year at a cost of $37,000.

By the turn of the century, First Congregational had become the largest Congregational Church in the state, and was known nationally for its programs in mission, education and sacred music.  The church operated nine Sunday Schools, two of them housed in permanent chapels built by the congregation in "parts of the city remote from the church."  The Fourth Ward Chapel stood on the corner of Jefferson and Fremont Streets, while the other Chapel still stands today on the northwest corner of Richmond and Winnebago Streets.  An active Sunday Evening Men's Club became a national model for similar organizations, and the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor traveled to conventions as far away as Boston and New York.

In the 1920's the church shifted its mission focus overseas, supporting missionaries in Japan, China, Africa, and Hawaii, while also supporting ministries among the poor and oppressed in our own nation, particularly in Alabama.  The church's reputation was rather enhanced when one of its members, Frank Harwood, was elected National Moderator of the Congregational Churches in 1925.  It was this year that the membership rolls first reached 1000.

Like so many churches, First Congregational struggled financially during the years of the Great Depression.  Still it continued to grow, reaching 1280 members in 1940.  The 1940's and 1950's saw the church return to vigorous health.  This was the era when our music program grew to become one of the nation's most acclaimed.  On April 9, 1961, the congregation joined the United Church of Christ, a union of Congregational Christian and Evangelical and Reformed Churches.

By the mid-1960's the beloved "Old Red Church" was near the end of its useful life.  Extensive structural repairs were needed, and the impending construction of a high-level bridge on its site made rebuilding impossible. A site of more than four acres was purchased on the south side of the river and, after a thorough study of the present and future needs of both the congregation and community, the present edifice was constructed.  On Sunday, October 27, 1968, the congregation began its worship service in the Old Red Church and completed it in the new one.

The current building, a striking reinterpretation of the traditional Congregational "Meeting House," serves not only as a center for the active life of the congregation, but for a host of community activities as well.

The present congregation of 1600 members seeks to build on the foundation of its proud heritage.  It is known in and beyond the community for innovative and uplifting worship, its quality program of Christian education, and an active program of mission and service.