429 Main Street, PO Box 519, Ashfield, Massachusetts 01330-0519
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429 Main Street, PO Box 519, Ashfield, Massachusetts 01330-0519
Our Vision Statement
We are a small group, striving to be open and accepting, sometimes disagreeing yet loving one another, wading through the joy and pain of spiritual growth, who pledge to worship God together, follow the example of Jesus, embody God's Holy Spirit, support our church family, and serve our neighbors near and far.
The Buildings
The First Congregational Church of Ashfield was organized February 22, 1763 when fifteen people gathered at the home of Ebenezer Belding on Bellus Road.
The first meeting house was completed in 1771 and located in the front part of Plain Cemetery. The building was in use until a large, new one was erected at the Steady Lane Cemetery. The second building is currently Ashfield's Town Hall. First built in 1812, it was moved about 1865 from Steady Lane to its current position on Main Street.
Division within the congregation in 1855 resulted in the formation of a Second Congregational Church and the erection of this building in 1856. The two factions reunited in 1868 and chose to use this new building. The building formerly used at Steady Lane was sold to the town.
There have been major sanctuary renovations in 1895 and in 1945. Other changes chiefly from the efforts of the women of the congregation have resulted in the building of Friendship Hall in 1886 and in 1957 with the addition of class rooms for Christian education.
The Congregation
In the understanding of the Congregational Church tradition, the church is led by God's spirit acting through the people who have gathered in this place to worship God. These people have responded to a tug in their lives to join with others to do God's work, seek God's presence, and support one another in mutual love. The church is formed by a convenant, a sacred promise, in which its members pledge their support to one another and their common efforts to be God's people.
The congregation owns its own property, sets its own directions, and chooses to associate with other churches for mutual benefits. In 1957, with the formation of the United Church of Christ, churches such as this one decided to affiliate with this wider body.
The current congregation continues to serve God in a variety of ways. Foremost is its commitment to corporate worship. At 10:00 a.m. Sundays, people gather in the sanctuary to ascribe worth to God. By starting our week's living proclaiming that God's presence in our lives is vital, we ground ourselves in the way shown us by Jesus of Nazareth.
The Pastor