The First Church in Chestnut Hill is unusual in several ways: we are a Christian congregation with a Unitarian theology, a congregational polity, and an Anglican prayer book. Our service is rich and meaningful, yet simple, in the New England tradition. Our small congregation is thoughtful and intellectually curious, and our discussions together range over all aspects of the Christian approach to life in an increasingly complex world. Introduction Amid the diversity of the Unitarian Universalist Association there is a handful of Christian congregations. The First Church in Chestnut Hill is one of these congregations, and is a founding member of the Council of Christian Churches in the UUA. The First Church in Chestnut Hill was gathered at the Chestnut Hill Chapel in 1861 (the original edifice is now the library of the Chestnut Hill School) when the area along nearby Hammond Street was mostly fields and orchards. In 1910 the cornerstone of the present church building was laid. A year later, the First Church in Chestnut Hill was dedicated as a "free church to which all are welcome." ~ beautiful windows ~
Church Life We are a small, family-based congregation for whom Sunday worship is paramount. A congregational prayer book and psalter is the basis of our Sunday service. On Christmas Eve, Easter Eve, Pentecost and All Souls Sunday we celebrate Holy Communion. Vespers Services are held on Christmas Eve and Good Friday. On Sunday afternoons we conduct a chapel service at The Children's Hospital in Boston. We welcome all visitors to our services and activities - please consider joining us! From the Sunday after Labor Day through the second Sunday in June our Sunday services are at 10:30 A.M. In the latter part of June and through July, a service of Morning Praise is held in the Parish Hall at 9:00 A.M. Discussions following the services and adult study groups are held on a variety of topics. The Alliance organizes a book discussion group, and has held a Food and Flower Sale on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving since 1919. After the service on the first Sunday of every month, we have a Bouillon Hour with refreshments and the opportunity for visitors and congregation members to converse. Congregational in polity, the First Church is governed by the membership through a Standing Committee elected at our annual meeting in October. We have a variety of committees, appointed by the Standing Committee, who with a minimum of administrative flutter organize the life of the congregation. The major source of church support comes from an annual appeal to the membership. Our monthly bulletin, published from September to June, lists the scripture readings, music for each month, and the activities of the congregation. Church Personnel Our Interim Minister, The Reverend Rosemarie C. Smurzynski, a graduate of the City College of New York and Harvard Divinity School. She is a denominationally trained accredited Interim Minister. Our organist, Samuel Adams, teaches at the New England Conservatory and has been here since 1971. He directs a professional choir each Sunday and family choirs several times a year. Our Director of Religious Education, Joan Hunt, a Smith graduate, received her Master's degree in Religious Education from Boston College in 1989.
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