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Welcome to the First Congregational Church in Bristol

The First Congregational Church in Bristol is a vital, progressive Christian community of faith with long roots in our community.

We promise you our friendship and prayers as we share the hopes and labors of the Church of Jesus the Christ. We pray that God grant that — loving and being loved, serving and being served, forgiving and being forgiven, offering grace and receiving grace — we may dwell together in love, unity and hope.

We are Bristol’s first and founding church. We have been here since 1680, formed by the same leaders who founded the town of Bristol a few months after the church was gathered. In 1785, more than a century after our founding, our congregation and our sixth Minister, the Reverend Mr. Henry Wight, began the Bristol 4th of July Parade and Patriotic Exercises. So we are the Founders of America’s Oldest Fourth of July Celebration.

Today, our congregation is known for its broad support for our community and our willingness to speak out regarding social justice issues. Sunday services are relevant and thought-provoking.


No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!

Upcoming Events

Support One Great Hour of Sharing

On March 10, 2024, we will be taking up a collection in support of One Great Hour of Sharing.    The theme for the 2024 One Great Hour of Sharing® is Share the Light. The United Church of Christ invites you to participate in this special mission offering.  One Great Hour…

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Good Night Lights

Join the “Good Night Lights” to shine a light of hope to children in hospital. Every Monday night First Congregational Church “Good Night Lighters” travel to the Squantum Association in East Providence to send a good night signal to children at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Anyone is welcome to join the…

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One Great Hour of Sharing®

One Great Hour of Sharing® is one of four special mission offerings of the United Church of Christ. This Lenten Offering supports the disaster, refugee, and development ministries of the United Church of Christ within Wider Church Ministries. While OGHS offerings are usually made before Easter, gifts designated toward OGHS…

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News

Game Night is a Winner

Start with vats of Mac n’ Cheese, add some Potluck salads and desserts, and stir in a cartload of Games and you have the ingredients for a night of fun! On Friday, March 8, more than 30 parishioners of all…

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FCC Bristol works to stop Gun Violence

On March 5, 2024, faith leaders from across all of Rhode Island’s denominations gathered at the State House to make a joint statement to state legislators about the urgent and morally imperative need to pass current proposed legislation in support…

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Worship Service Videos

Worship Service for Sunday March 17, 2024

Worship service by: Rev. Dr. Nancy Hamlin Soukup; Scripture: Hebrews 5:5-10; Scripture: John 12:20-33; Sermon: “Who Will We Draw Towards Us?”; Click here to view the Bulletin in a new window; https://vimeo.com/924411530?share=copy Click CC/Subtitles for Closed CaptionsClick icon for full…

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Worship Service for Sunday March 10, 2024

Worship service by: Rev. Dr. Nancy Hamlin Soukup; Scripture: Isaiah 66:7-13; Scripture: John 6:6-14; Sermon: “Homecoming”; Click here to view the Bulletin in a new window; https://vimeo.com/921835928?share=copy Click CC/Subtitles for Closed CaptionsClick icon for full screen video; Press ESC to…

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Worship Service for Sunday March 3, 2024

Worship service by Rev. Dr. Nancy Hamlin Soukup; Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Scripture: Matthew 5:13-20; Sermon: “They Shall All Know Me”; Click here to view the Bulletin in a new window; https://vimeo.com/918988190?share=copy Click CC/Subtitles for Closed CaptionsClick icon for full screen…

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Worship Service for Sunday February 25, 2024

Worship service by Rev. Dr. Nancy Hamlin Soukup; Scripture: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Scripture: Mark 9:2-9; Sermon: When Bad Things Happen Despite the Covenant; Click here to view the Bulletin in a new window; https://vimeo.com/916530515?share=copy Click CC/Subtitles for Closed CaptionsClick icon…

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