The earliest church in Billerica established in 1663 and its ministers were of the Congregational Order. The Massachusetts Churches adopted the "Cambridge Platform" in 1650 and the "Savoy Declaration" in 1680 both of which approved the Congregational form of church government and the Westminster Confession which was Calvinist in doctrine. As late as 1800, the 1383 inhabitants of Billerica continued as one congregation. In the Eighteenth Century, a reaction to Calvinism began to affect New England Churches with Unitarian thought. In 1825 when the American Unitarian Association was organized, one-hundred Massachusetts churches joined. The forming of the First Orthodox Congregational Church in Billerica was a result of this theological controversy. Two Trinitarian Congregationalists, Martha Bowers and Huldah Blake, greatly outnumbered by Unitarians, withdrew from the original church. Martha Bowers was listed among the first members of the First Orthodox Congregational Church. The History of Billerica - written in 1883 by the Rev. Henry A. Hazen, a former minister of this church, stated that not more than four or five members of the original church ever joined the new Congregational Church.
On the First of January, 1829, a company of more than ten citizens of Billerica, qualified to vote, sent to a justice of the peace a request that they be organized into the First Orthodox Congregational Society of Billerica. this Society was organized January 17. The deed for the land and building was given to the trustees April 26 by the Rev. Joseph Bennett of Woburn. The church was expressly designed by him. on April 30 of that year, the church was organized with twenty- five members. Significantly, the Moderator of the Council which organized the church was Dr. Lyman Beecher, foremost of New England Congregational preachers of that day. The meeting house, 60 x 46 feet, was raised October 28, 1829 and dedicated to divine worship January 13, 1830.
The history of the First Congregational Church in Billerica can be obtained from the records kept by the church for nearly one hundred years. Apparently, it was customary in Protestant Churches to have one arm (the society) which was responsible for all legal aspects of the operations of the church, and another arm (the church) primarily concerned for the spiritual life. Separate membership was held in both arms and each held their own separate meetings. (Of course, many of the holders were active in both society and church. This dualism seems somewhat strange and unnecessary today, but was suited to the needs of the time).
The main records of the society are contained in two books, and the records of the church are contained in three volumes. The records of the society and church run parallel for approximately one-hundred years (1829-1929).
The listings in this chronology need some explanation. The items listed through May 8, 1867 have been copied essentially verbatim from an old record book. From that date to the present, items included were gleaned from a search of the records. An attempt was made to use wording which was common at that time of recording. Items listed are influenced by three factors: (1) A church member had to feel that an event was of enough significance to be reported; (2) the clerk had to make a judgement that reported information was worthy of being recorded; (3) a further judgement that events listed in the records deserved listing. It is sincerely hoped that those who have had long interest in the church will report any historic knowledge that they might have to the Bi-Millennium Committee. If interest seems sufficient, a more detailed writing of the history of the church could be undertaken.
The actual beginning of this church precedes the first date listed. In the records of the Sabbath School, dated Sept. 1, 1869, it is written: "The Sabbath School connected with the Congregational Society in Billerica was formed a short time previous to the organization of the church, and its first sessions were held in a school house at the north part of the town."
So our history began. We ought to have gratitude to those faithful clerks who recorded the history of the church over the years and especially we should be grateful to Mr. Lesley W. Gross who served as clerk for the past thirty-one years.
A list of references is on file in the church office.
| Date | Event | # | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 17, 1829 | Society formed with thirteen members. | ||
| April 30, 1829 | Church organized with twenty-five members. | ||
| Oct. 28, 1829 | Meeting-house raised. | ||
| Jan. 13, 1830 | Meeting-house dedicated to the worship of the Triune God. | ||
| Feb. 28, 1830 | Mr. John Starkweather commenced preaching to the church as a candidate. | ||
| April 22, 1830 | The Rev. John Starkweather was ordained. | 1 | Rev. John Starkweather |
| July, 1830 | Formation of the Ladies' Benevolent Society (sometimes referred to as the ladies, Sewing Circle). | ||
| Aug. 2, 1831 | Rev. John Starkweather was dismissed. | ||
| July 22, 1832 | The Rev. Isaac Jones commenced preaching to this church and society. | 2 | Rev. Isaac Jones |
| April 1, 1833 | The Rev. Isaac Jones was engaged to perform the duties of a minister for one year and commenced his labors. | ||
| April 13, 1834 | The Rev. Isaac Jones closed his ministerial labors among us. | ||
| April 20, 1834 | The Rev. Luther Wright was engaged to perform the duties of a minister and commenced his labors. | 3 | Rev. Luther Wright |
| Sept. 27, 1835 | The Rev. Luther Wright closed his ministerial labors among us. | ||
| Oct. 11 1835 | The Rev. Joseph Haven was engaged to perform the duties of a minister and commenced his labors. | 4 | Rev. Joseph Haven |
| June 8, 1836 | The Rev. Joseph Haven was installed. | ||
| Sept. 27, 1840 | The Rev. Joseph Haven closed his ministerial labors in this place. | ||
| Dec. 61 1840 | The Rev. Benjamin Ela commenced his labors in this place. | 5 | Rev. Benjamin Ela |
| April 28, 1841 | The Rev. Benjamin Ela was ordained. | ||
| May, 1842 | The Rev. Benjamin Ela was dismissed. | ||
| May 10, 1843 | The Rev. J. George D. Stearns was ordained. | 6 | Rev. J. George D. Stearns |
| June, 1850 | The meeting-house was repaired. | ||
| 1861 | A second-hand pipe organ with six pipes was bought to replace a little melodian and the violin and bass viol that had previously accompanied the choir. | ||
| Oct, 1865 | The meeting-house was repaired. May 8, 1867 The Rev. J. G. D. Stearns was dismissed. | ||
| June 17, 1867 | The Rev. J.P. Cleveland became acting pastor of church and society. | 7 | Rev. J.P. Cleveland |
| May 1, 1869 | Formation of the Women's Missionary Society. | ||
| Aug. 15, 1870 | The Rev. Evarts B. Kent was called to become our settled pastor. | 8 | Rev. Evarts B. Kent |
| April 10, 1871 | The Rev. John Lord given an invitation to preach for one year. | 9 | Rev. John Lord |
| March 24, 1873 | The Rev. George H. Scott called to become pastor. | 10 | Rev. George H. Scott |
| June 29, 1874 | The Rev. Henry A. Hazen called to become pastor. | ||
| May 21, 1874 | The Rev. Henry A. Hazen installed as pastor. | 11 | Rev. Henry A. Hazen |
| 1877 | The old stoves were replaced by a furnace. | ||
| May 4, 1879 | The Rev. Henry A. Hazen was dismissed. | ||
| Nov. 1881 | The Rev. Charles C. Torrey was chosen Acting Pastor. | 12 | Rev. Charles C. Torrey |
| July 3, 1882 | The Rev. Frederic A. Wilson was extended an invitation to preach for one year. | 13 | Rev. Frederic A. Wilson |
| April 25, 1885 | The Rev. Frederic A. Wilson called by the church and society to become our settled pastor. | ||
| Sept. 23, 1885 | The Rev. Frederic A. Wilson installed as pastor. | ||
| May 24, 1889 | The Rev. Frederic A. Wilson resigned as pastor. | ||
| June 30, 1889 | The Rev. Harry Adams was given a call to preach for one year. | 14 | Rev. Harry Adams |
| Aug. 26, 1889 | The Rev. Augustus H. Fuller called to become pastor. | 15 | Rev. Augustus H. Fuller |
| July 8, 1890 | Pipe organ accepted as a gift from Mr. Azel W. Patten in memory of his father and mother, Aaron and Eliza Patten. March. | ||
| 1893 | The Rev. Daniel W. Hardy began his ministry. | 16 | Rev. Daniel W. Hardy |
| Dec. 13, 1893 | Death of Bro. William S. Gleason, last survivor of the original thirteen members of the society. | ||
| July 28, 1901 | The Rev. Daniel W. Hardy died. | ||
| Feb. 12, 1902 | Mr. Albert E. Wurst began his ministry. | 17 | Mr. Albert E. Wurst |
| Nov. 6, 1902 | Mr. Albert E. Wurst was ordained into the Christian ministry. | ||
| Feb. 1, 1903 | Rev. Albert E. Wurst resigned as pastor. | ||
| May 3, 1903 | Mr. John H. Dale began his labors among us as acting pastor. | 18 | Mr. John H. Dale |
| Oct. 7, 1903 | Mr. J. Harold Dale ordained to the Christian ministry. | ||
| May 1, 1904 | Celebration of the Seventy-Fifth anniversary of the First Congregational Church. A most interesting Historical Sketch was given by Rev. Dale in the morning service, and afternoon exercises were held with many different speakers taking part. The membership at that time was 111. | ||
| Nov. 3, 1907 | Rededication of church after extensive repairs had been completed. | ||
| June 25, 1916 | First Service of the Pinehurst Chapel association which a church committee helped to establish. | ||
| April 29, 1917 | Voted a resolution urging the President of the U.S. to take immediate action securing national prohibition of the manufacture and 5 sale of alcoholic beverages for the period of the war. | ||
| Sept. 2, 1917 | Mrs. Elizabeth G. Dale, wife of the pastor, passed away after a long illness. | ||
| Dec. 1, 1920 | A committee from the First Baptist Church of Billerica requested federation with this church. | ||
| Jan. 1, 1921 | Request for federation withdrawn. May 9, 1923 Women were extended the right to vote in the affairs of the society. | ||
| July 6, 1924 | Dedication of the bell, a gift from the First Baptist Society of Billerica. | ||
| 1928 | A celebration was held to commemorate having Rev. Dale with us for twenty-five years. | ||
| Dec 30, 1928 | Rededication of the church following extensive remodeling. The chancel and kitchen were added and a boiler room to provide central heating. | ||
| April 2, 1929 | Moved and seconded that the property of the First Orthodox Congregational Society, now dissolved, real and personal of all sorts, be transferred to the First Congregational Church in Billerica, Incorporated. | ||
| April 10, 1929 | Final meeting of the First Orthodox Congregational Society. | ||
| April 28, 1929 | Celebration of the One-hundredth Anniversary of the First Congregational Church. | ||
| October 7, 1929 | The Rev. J. Harold Dale installed as pastor. | ||
| April 21, 1935 | First Flowering of the Cross Easter Service conducted by Pilgrim Fellowship. | ||
| April 12, 1936 | Cross on Communion Table was presented in loving memory of Elizabeth Walker Gilbert Dale. | ||
| May 2, 1943 | "Forty Years in His Only Parish" was celebrated by a special church service. | ||
| May 3, 1943 | Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree bestowed on Rev. J. Harold Dale by Rollins College, Florida. | ||
| Feb. 10, 1946 | Burning of the mortgage on the church property. | ||
| Oct. 19, 1947 | Formation of Men's Club. | ||
| April 14, 1948 | Recognition of formation of "Circle of Service." | ||
| Feb. 6, 1949 | Donation of organ chimes in memory of Mrs. Alice J. Patten. | ||
| Dec. 10, 1950 | Dedication of Belfry Chimes. | ||
| May 17, 1953 | Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration of the ministry of the Rev. J. Harold Dale, D.D. The vestry and downstairs rooms were painted by the younger men and women of the Parish. New drapes and curtains for the windows were made, making the surroundings much more pleasant. Our membership has reached 419 and the church school averages 250 each Sunday. | ||
| June 6, 1954 | Mr. Paul H. Burdett, Associate minister, ordained into the ministry of the church. | 19 | Mr. Paul H. Burdett |
| June 5, 1955 | Dedication of Parish House. | ||
| Dec. 5, 1955 | Mr. James G. Pirie, associate minister, ordained into the ministry of the church. | 20 | Mr. James G. Pirie |
| May 23, 1956 | The Rev. James G. Pirie called to the ministry to the church. The Rev. J. Harold Dale, D.D., made Pastor Emeritus. | ||
| Nov. 30, 1956 | Purchase of Andover Rd. parsonage. | ||
| Dec. 26, 1959 | Death of the Rev. J. Harold Dale, D.D., pastor 1903-1956, Pastor Emeritus 1956-1959. | ||
| April 12, 1961 | Voted acceptance of the United Church of Christ Constitution thus making the church a member of that body. | ||
| June 2, 1962 | Resignation of Rev. James G. Pirie, minister. | ||
| Dec. 1, 1963 | The Rev. C. Paul Bush, Jr. called to the ministry of the church . | 21 | Rev. C. Paul Bush, Jr. |
| June 29, 1965 | Voted to transfer our affiliation from the Metropolitan Boston Association to the Andover Association. | ||
| June 1965 | First meeting of Executive Cabinet held. | ||
| June 6, 1965 | The Rev. Stanley B. Hyde called to be associate minister at the church. | 22 | Rev. Stanley B. Hyde |
| July 13, 1965 | Purchase of Boynton Ave. parsonage. | ||
| Oct. 31, 1965 | Rev. C. Paul Bush, Jr. installed as minister and Rev. Stanley B. Hyde installed as associate minister. | ||
| Nov. 1966 | Pipe organ rebuilt. | ||
| Aug. 2, 1967 | Resignation of the Rev. C. Paul Bush, Jr., minister. | ||
| Aug. 11, 1967 | Resignation of the Rev. Stanley B. Hyde, associate minister. | ||
| Feb. 11, 1968 | The Rev. Albert W. Welch called to the ministry of the church. | ||
| Nov. 3, 1968 | The Rev. Albert W. Welch installed as minister. | 23 | Rev. Albert W. Welch |
| May 30, 1971 | The Rev. Albert W. Welch received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Piedmont College. | ||
| Jan 16, 1974 | The Rev. Albert W. Welch resigned as minister. | ||
| March, 1974 | The Rev. Duane A. Windemiller began his ministry in this church. | 24 | Rev. Duane A. Windemiller |
| July 27, 1975 | The Rev. Duane A. Windemiller closed his ministry in this church. | ||
| Sept. 1, 1975 | John G. Hughes began his ministry in this church. | 25 | John G. Hughes |
| 1979 | 150th Anniversary of the church. | ||
| Sept, 1980 | John G. Hughes resigned his ministry. | ||
| 1980 | Selling of Boynton Lane and Andover Road parsonages. | ||
| 1981 | The Rev. Duane A. Windemiller interim minister. | 26 | Rev. Duane A. Windemiller |
| October, 1981 | The Rev. Linda H. Roberts called. | 27 | Rev. Linda H. Roberts |
| April 1982 | Rev. Linda H. Roberts installed. | ||
| 1983 | The weathervane replaced. | ||
| 1985 | Elevator installed. | ||
| Oct. 1985 | Dedication of green paraments. | ||
| Feb. 1986 | Dedication of purple paraments. | ||
| Dec. 31, 1987 | Resignation of Rev. Linda H. Roberts. | ||
| Jan. 1, 1988 | Rev. Bradford N. Pusey invited to be interim minister for one year. | 28 | Rev. Bradford N. Pusey |
| Jan. 15, 1989 | Rev. Ruth L. Duck invited to be interim minister. Received a call to Garrett-ETS | 29 | Rev. Ruth L. Duck |
| August, 1989 | Rev. Roger L. Brown invited to be interim minister | 30 | Rev. Roger L. Brown |
| Jan. 21, 1990 | Rev. Dennis C. Bailey called to become Pastor. | 31 | Rev. Dennis C. Bailey |
| The Organ was repaired and rededicated | |||
| A mission statement was created | |||
| Rev Dennis C. Bailey received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Andover Newton Theological School. | |||
| The steam oil burners were replaced with forced hot water using natural gas. | |||
| May 31, 1997 | Rev. Flemming was called to serve during Rev. Dr. Dennis C. Bailey's sabbatical. | 32 | Rev. William Flemming Jr. |
| June 1st, 1997 to Sep 2nd, 1997 |
Rev. Dr. Dennis C. Bailey crossed the country on his bicycle during his sabbatical (4,680 miles, coast to coast), returning in September. | ||
| April 20, 1998 April 1999 |
Rev. Dr. Dennis C. Bailey runs the Boston Marathon. | ||
| May 1999 | The Kitchen is completely remodeled. | ||
| April 2004 | Celebration of the 175th Anniversary of the First Congregational Church. | ||
| June-Sept, 2004 | Rev. Dr. Dennis C. Bailey on sabbatical. | ||
| June-Sept 2004 | Linda Hey (M. Div '04, Andover Newton) called to serve as minister during Rev. Dr. Dennis C. Bailey's sabbatical. | 33 | Linda Hey |
| 2005 | The Church Steeple is rebuilt. | ||
| 2006 | Rev. Dr. Dennis Bailey called to serve as Minister of the Lynnfield Congregational Church. | ||
| 2006 | Rev. Dr. Sharon Goss called to serve as Interim Minister of the First Congregational Church. | 34 | Rev. Dr. Sharon Goss |
| 2007 | Installation of new windows in the Sanctuary under Trustee Eugene Guild's supervision. | ||
| Dec 17, 2007 | The last meeting of the Circle of Friendship, which united with the Aim Hi group. | ||
| April 27, 2008 | Dedication of the new digital organ. |
Please contact GL for any corrections or additions to this data.