The Hope for the Future

First  Congregational  Church was  organized  in  1870, and  for  107 years  has  tried  to  be  faithful  to  both  its heritage  and  its  opportunity.    In  1910,  the  first  pastor  of  the  church,  Dr.  Amory H.  Bradford,  wrote:

"My  earnest hope  for  the  Church  in  the  future is  that under worthy  leadership  it may become a  rejoicing  and victorious  Church,  which keeps the Gospel  always  in  the  foreground;   whose doors  are never  closed;    which  is  glad  in  the spirit  of Christ  to go about  doing good,  and which  finds  its  supreme  joy  in  continuing His ministry  to all sorts  and conditions  of men. For  the  blessings which we  have  enjoyed,  let us  thank God,  while we  gratefully  face  the tasks  of  the  coming years.    The horizon of the  future  is  radiant with  the  promise  and prophecy of  still  better  things."