Our History
Central Congregational Church, a member of the United Church of Christ, was established in 1852. An Open and Affirming Global Mission Church, Central is open to all regardless of age, race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, mental facility, economic circumstance, or physical condition. We strive to be a community of God's people in a way that calls each of us to active discipleship through worship, caring, sharing, and outreach.
1852
Central is established with 82 charter members. Our church building on Benefit Street, including the pipe organ, costs $59,000. Our first minister is Leonard Swain, D.D.
1853
1853 – Mission quickly becomes a primary focus. Giving exceeds $4,000.
1863 c
Central supports the Sanitary Commission, which provides medical supplies and nursing care for the wounded, and National Freedmen’s Relief Association, which sends tools, agricultural implements, provisions, clothing, and teachers for emancipated slaves throughout the South.
1867
Central takes up a collection for “destitute Southerners.”
1868
Central holds the Congregational Christian Church’s first meeting for women interested in foreign missions.
1877
Church membership reaches 487.
1880
Central forms the Woman’s Home Missionary Society, sending clothing and supplies to missionary ministers throughout the U.S.
1882
We install a new pipe organ costing $7,093.42 – the first in Providence with pneumatic action.
1889
Edward Caldwell Moore, D.D., of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Yonkers N.Y., becomes our fourth minister.
1891
We begin working with the Portuguese in Fox Point.
1891-1893
Construction begins on a new church building on Providence’s East Side, the geographic center of our congregation.
1904
We raise $10,000 to build the Portuguese Chapel and Parish House on Sheldon Street to house the Portuguese Mission’s religious and social work.
1916-1918
During World War I, 67 men and one woman from Central serve in the armed forces.
1917
We install a four-manual pipe organ, dedicated with a recital by famed French organist Joseph Bonnet.
1918
Arthur Howe Bradford, D.D., is called as our seventh minister.
1918
Central calls Marian H. Jones to be the minister of the Portuguese Chapel.
1922
Central abolishes “pew rental,” a method of guaranteeing income, hoping to encourage all members to financially support the church.
1935
The Social Action Committee, a forerunner to Mission and Action, promotes social justice through local and national community service, setting a new standard for Central’s activism.
1941-1945
During World War II, 283 men and women from Central, eight of whom give their lives, serve in the armed forces.
1949
The Portuguese Mission becomes the Sheldon Street Congregational Church, a separate entity.
1950
Central becomes involved in refugee resettlement.
1952
Central is 100 years old!
1957
The Congregational Christian Church and Evangelical and Reformed Church merge to become the United Church of Christ (UCC).
1955
Central organizes the Refugee Resettlement committee.
1961
Raymond E. Gibson, PhD., is called as Central’s ninth minister.
1964
Central adopts a policy covering matters of race: “Our church welcomes all persons, regardless of race or color….”
1964
Central installs a magnificent Aeolian-Skinner organ (3,456 pipes!) in honor and appreciation of Arthur Howe Bradford, D.D., our minister from 1918 to 1952.
1968
Lifetime Learning, a new program for retirees who find that “leisure is not enough,” meets at Central.
1973
Hamilton House, a learning exchange for people over 55, moves into the French chateau-style building next door to and owned by Central.
1976
Mission and Action opens The Bursting Pomegranate, a SERRV mission craft shop. Hospice Care of Rhode Island sets up its first office at Central.
1979
Mission and Action helps resettle two refugee families from Laos.
1988
Rebecca L. Spencer, M. Div., is called as our tenth minister. She is Central’s first female senior minister and the first woman to become a UCC senior minister without first serving as the congregation’s associate.
1993
Central subsidizes the Traveler’s Aid mobile medical van.
1999
Central’s policy on inclusion appears in the weekly Order of Worship: “This church is open to all and welcomes everyone who chooses to worship here. We affirm that all of us are created in God’s image regardless of age, race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, mental facility, economic circumstance, or physical condition.”
2002-2003
Central celebrates its 150th Anniversary with a year of special events and services.
2003
A gift from political scientist Darrell West, a Central member, establishes an annual lecture series on the intersection of politics and religion.
2007
Responding to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, a group of Central members and friends go to New Orleans to assist in the rebuilding process.
2010
Central becomes a Global Mission church.
2011
Central receives official UCC designation as an “Open and Affirming Church.”
2012
Central members march in the Rhode Island PrideFest parade.
2013
Church membership stands at 661 and continues to grow at a time when many churches are losing members.
2018
This is a year of celebrations. We commemorate the 125th year of our building by envisioning the church’s future. We celebrate the Reverend Rebecca Spencer’s 30th anniversary, as well as the 25th anniversaries of Patrick Aiken, organist and choirmaster, and Cathy Clasper-Torch, director of Christian education. Longtime member Lorne Adrain endows an annual lecture series that seeks to connect Rhode Islanders through shared stories of friends, family, and faith – to commemorate Rebecca Spencer’s 30 years as senior minister.
2020
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person Worship and other get-togethers cease in March, but church life continues. Worship moves online, as do committee and group meetings. Working remotely, we continue to support our Mission Partners.