“No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.”
Our History
First Congregational Church was organized with thirteen charter members on September 26, 1880.This church is the oldest church in the Southwest Conference, comprising all of Arizona and New Mexico.
The Rev. Theodore Conrad Hunt was the first minister, accepting the call on October 10, 1880. The church was first incorporated on July 29, 1881, and the first building was dedicated at a cost of $3,200 on November 27, 1881.
Theodore C. Hunt, First Minister
Circa 1881
The lot on which the church was built was just across the street from the State Capitol. It was owned by the First Presbyterian Church of Prescott which had been organized on October 1, 1876 and closed in 1879. T. W. Otis, a member of the Presbyterian Church, had been given the deed to the property, and after the formation of the Congregational Church, Mr. Otis transferred the property from his name to the First Congregational Church. It was on this lot that the first church was built. This is where the study or old manse now stands. There was some relationship between these two churches beyond any question of doubt. The names of the trustees in both instances are practically the same.
On November 12, 1892, Mr. DuBois Demarest was ordained. He was the first minister to be ordained by our fellowship in Arizona. The baptismal font in the church is a memorial to this man. Mr. Demarest did not live long and soon was succeeded by the Rev. Thomas D. McLean, and it was during Mr. McLean's pastorate that Mr. T. W. Otis spearheaded the effort to create something of a Chinese mission in connection with the church. The two of them had a group of some ten or more young Chinese men who gathered around them weekly for instruction in English by use of the Bible and the church hymnals. This turned out to be quite an experiment, because one of these young Chinese, known as Charlie Wann, became a great merchant and Christian worker in China.
Chinese Students (click to enlarge)
One of the students
On November 25, 1894, the church purchased two additional lots adjacent to the one on which the building was standing. This constitutes the present property.
Construction of the Parsonage began in 1898 to the East of the existing church building, but within a few years the church structure was moved to the lot where Perkins Hall now stands and the Parsonage moved onto the old church site.
On June 26, 1904 the cornerstone was laid for the present church building and this church, which cost $10,000, was dedicated on October 15, 1905. The church was rebuilt in 1916 at a cost of $3,500 and at this time an electric reed organ was installed.
1905 (click to enlarge)
Twenty ministers had served the church during the first fifty four years before the Rev. Charles Franklin Parker became pastor in February 1934. In June, 1938, ground was broken for the new Youth Center Building to the North of the Sanctuary. Through the generosity of the Perkins family, the building was completed and named Perkins Hall in memory of Robert M. Perkins, who lost his life in World War II. Perkins Hall was dedicated in 1955.
Under Dr. Parker's direction, beginning in 1947, the Yavapai Cooperative Parish was organized, which in turn led to the establishment of the churches at Humboldt, Chino Valley, Crown King, Cottonwood and First Church, Flagstaff. He likewise gave assistance to the organization of the church in Sedona.
Dr. Parker terminated his pastorate on December 31, 1962, just weeks before his 29th anniversary, to accept the office of Founding President of Prescott College, which had been given a start with the raising of pledges in Prescott in the amount of one million dollars.
In 1959, as a memorial to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Hesla, Mrs. S.C. Gill gave funds for arranging for a rose window which, working with Hudson Studio, Dr. Parker designed to the theme "The Light of Freedom." However, the manufacture of the window was not completed before Dr. Parker's resignation.
The Rev. Frederick B. James began his ministry in 1963. During his pastorate the sanctuary was completely remodeled and the rose window and a new Rogers Organ were installed. The George Library was completed and the kitchen moved upstairs to Perkins Hall.
In 1971, Craig Mathews, who grew up in First Church, was ordained to the Christian ministry.
Mr. James resigned in 1971, and the Rev. John Brooke was called to the church in 1972. During these years, Head Start began using the church, and a ramp was built at the front entrance for the use of those who have trouble negotiating the steps. Mr. Brooke was serving as minister when Prescott College closed its doors in January 1975. He left later in 1975, and Dr. Perry Avery served as interim minister until the Rev. John C. Hollowell began his ministry in February, 1976.
John C. Hollowell
Kate Thomson Cory
Will Hazeltin
In the Fall of 1976, many needed repairs to the sanctuary and the Cory and Hazeltin Rooms were completed. The renovated worship facilities were dedicated in November. In 1978, the church building, along with the old parsonage, was designated as National Historic Sites, and listed in the National Directory. Generous gifts in memory of Morris Payne, Dale Romberger, and Gladys Clymer enabled the church to purchase a new antiphonal organ, which was installed at the rear of the Sanctuary and dedicated in early 1979.
Dr. Charles Franklin Parker, Minister Emeritus, was honored by the Southwest Conference by being elected "Moderator Emeritus" at the Annual Meeting in 1978. A special service and reception in February, 1979, celebrated the 45th anniversary of his ministry in Prescott.The members of First Congregational Church continued their involvement in community activities by working to help establish and operate the Community Cupboard, which provides food for needy persons. Also, many of our lay people were instrumental in helping to raise two and a half million dollars in Prescott for the establishment of Prescott Samaritan Village, which was dedicated in June 1977. The main dining room was a gift of the church in memory of Hazel Swenson.
Retreats at Mingus Springs Camp and All-Church Day at Shadow Valley Ranch have become yearly highlights through the generosity of the Dahlberg Foundation and Charles and Geri Schott. A special stewardship effort in the Fall of 1979 enabled the church to call Paula Haseltine as a full-time Director of Christian Education in early 1980.
Two Prescott institutions were established by this church in ecumenical partnership with other churches: Prescott Samaritan Village and the Community Cupboard. This church was also the largest church contributor in the establishment of the Prescott affiliate of "Habitat for Humanity" and remains one of their Covenant Churches.
The church, and groups within the church, contribute thousands of dollars annually to more than 20 charities and benevolences in Prescott. Furthermore, substantial contributions are made to the national and worldwide missions of the U.C.C., as well as to the support of a variety of ecumenical and interdenominational benevolent programs.
First Congregational Church UCC Prescott, AZ 86301 Copyright 2009
