About

HISTORY

The United Church of Christ, Williams Bay, was originally called First Congregational Church, was founded in 1896 as the first English-speaking church in Williams Bay, as the other church, Free Evangelical Lutheran Church only conducted services in Norwegian and Swedish. 

In 1901, Congregationalists dedicated their new church building at the corner of Geneva and Valley Streets. The structure was destroyed by fire in December of 1911, but a new church was build at the same location and dedicated in May 1912.  

That building lasted until February of 1953 when another fire destroyed the structure. A new one, the current building at 46 Stam Street, was dedicated in 1954. Three years later, the church changed its name when Congregational Christian Churches joined with the Evangelical and Reformed Church to become the United Church of Christ.  

The denomination embraces the autonomy of the local church, responsible individual freedom, acceptance of all people and commitment to live out the faith through acts of peace and justice.  

 

United Church of Christ Statement of Faith—adapted by Robert V. Moss 

 We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, who is made known to us in Jesus our brother, and to whose deeds we testify: 

 God calls the worlds into being, creates humankind in the divine image, and sets before us the ways of life and death. 

 God seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin. 

 God judges all humanity and all nations by that will of righteousness declared through prophets and apostles. 

 In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord,God has come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the whole creation to its Creator. 

God bestows upon us the Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races. 

 God calls us into the church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be servants in the service of the whole human family, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ’s baptism and eat at his table,to join him in his passion and victory. 

 God promises to all who trust in the gospel forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace,the presence of the Holy Spirit in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in that kingdom which has no end. 

 Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto God.

 Amen.