FCC's Regular Schedule:
8:30 Chapel & 10:30 Sanctuary*
10:30* Effective mid-September to mid-June Sanctuary, Sunday School**, followed by Coffee Hour
(*10:00 Summer Hours: mid-June to mid-September)
**Sunday School meets except when school is not in session, i.e. vacation weeks
Coffee Hour follows worship service
FCC Staff
Rev. Dr. Gordon S. McClellan, Pastor
Paula G. Albertsson, Administrative Assistant
Linda Hueckel, Music / Choral director, pianist & organist
Zoe Dailey, Church Sexton
Rosanna Moran, Handbell Choir Director, the tall spire ringers
Natalie Philpot, Sunday School Educator
First Congregational Church
Mission Statement
It is our mission to serve God by serving this congregation and all humanity. We seek to fulfill this mission by loving God, Jesus Christ our Lord, the Holy Spirit, our enemies, our neighbors, and ourselves. Our mission is to reach out to others in need, whether spiritually, physically, mentally or economically, to address that need and to spread the “good news” of the gospel by word and deed.
As representatives of the church of God and Jesus Christ, it is our duty to act responsibly in loving, caring, nurturing, and educating. Jesus Christ taught us to love one another, and made no exceptions. When we live in love, we live in God and God in us.
We, the members of First Congregational Church of Manchester, Vermont, welcome all who seek the comfort and love of God in Jesus Christ, regardless of race, ethnicity, culture or sexual orientation. We acknowledge that all are individuals equally loved by their Creator. We embrace all as brothers and sisters in our ministry of reconciliation led by Jesus Christ, and proclaim unlimited opportunity to serve God in all aspects of the life and work of our church.
FCC - A Brief History
First Congregational Church of Manchester, established in 1784 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is one of the most iconic churches in New England. "The Tall Spire" of the church's beautiful white Victorian architecture rises majestically before the Green Mountains and is the featured subject of many Vermont postcards.
c. 1784 FCC is "gathered" and services are held at town meeting house
c. 1870: $23,000 was raised by members and friends for a new church
Franklin Orvis donates generously to ensure the new church and a 150 steeple are built to be enjoyed by his Equinox House guests.
c. 1929: a new organ was donated and installed, along with choir pews, a lectern at the south and a pulpit at the north of the sanctuary,
the "Nativity Window," rose window and side stained glass windows.
c. 1960: gift of the present three-manual organ was made
2007: Atrium entrance and elevator to three floors are completed
2016: "Friends of the Tall Spire Steeple" campaign results in the reenforcement of steeple interior and its outdoor painting