OUR HISTORY
OUR HISTORY
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMEN
Our church is built on land once inhabited and cared for by the Nipmuc and other indigenous peoples. We are grateful for their stewardship. We acknowledge the hardships caused for our indigenous neighbors by the colonization and development of this area.
OUR HISTORY
Founded in 1784, the United Church of Christ, Congregational of Boxborough (UCCB) has been a cornerstone of the Boxborough community since its founding. We have a long history of connection and collaboration with the town of Boxborough and its residents.
The original meeting house was built on top of the hill on Middle Road by congregation members, carrying materials from the old Harvard church. On our current site, members built a one floor meetinghouse in 1833. The congregation donated the land across the street to construct the first Town Hall.
To this day, we continue to come together with the town administration and residents to address local needs and respond to crises. Some of our facilities are leased to the Town of Boxborough’s Council on Aging in support of seniors and veterans in town. We host various support, scouting, and learning groups throughout the week. Our Merrie Christmas Fair has marked the beginning of Boxborough’s fall-winter holiday season for more than 75 years.
In 2001, the congregation voted, raised the funds and worked together to add a new wing for a new Sanctuary and an independent childcare center.
In 2013, we unanimously agreed to become an Open and Affirming Congregation, welcoming people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions.
Our 2018-2022 Open Doors Campaign clarified our mission to connect with and serve the community and raised money to renovate the 1784 historical building and the community center. To leverage our funds, congregation members, once again, came together to renovate the Community Center ourselves and hired a renovation company for a beautiful re-design of our historic meeting house.
When COVID-19 emerged, we adapted quickly, transforming the way we “do church.” We immediately shifted to zoom worship and were one of the few local churches to create an online choir. We started a “Community Support Fund” to provide financial support for those struggling during the pandemic, and together with town volunteers helped create a network of support for families whose homes had been destroyed by a multiple-condominium fire.
Out of these events emerged the FreeBee Market, a food-gleaning, sharing, and community-building endeavor, which takes place regularly in our church’s outdoor gathering space and continues to be a joyful collaboration between our church and volunteer leaders from Boxborough. As the pandemic eased, we transitioned to hybrid worship and remain committed to this model of worship.
Today, we continue to open our doors widely. We welcome members, friends and visitors from many surrounding towns, and are glad that participants join in our virtual services from Ireland to Africa.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Our church is built on land once inhabited and cared for by the Nipmuc and other indigenous peoples. We are grateful for their stewardship. We acknowledge the hardships caused for our indigenous neighbors by the colonization and development of this area.
OUR HISTORY
Founded in 1784, the United Church of Christ, Congregational of Boxborough (UCCB) has been a cornerstone of the Boxborough community since its founding. We have a long history of connection and collaboration with the town of Boxborough and its residents.
The original meeting house was built on top of the hill on Middle Road by congregation members, carrying materials from the old Harvard church. On our current site, members built a one floor meetinghouse in 1833. The congregation donated the land across the street to construct the first Town Hall.
To this day, we continue to come together with the town administration and residents to address local needs and respond to crises. Some of our facilities are leased to the Town of Boxborough’s Council on Aging in support of seniors and veterans in town. We host various support, scouting, and learning groups throughout the week. Our Merrie Christmas Fair has marked the beginning of Boxborough’s fall-winter holiday season for more than 75 years.
In 2001, the congregation voted, raised the funds and worked together to add a new wing for a new Sanctuary and an independent childcare center.
In 2013, we unanimously agreed to become an Open and Affirming Congregation, welcoming people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions.
Our 2018-2022 Open Doors Campaign clarified our mission to connect with and serve the community and raised money to renovate the 1784 historical building and the community center. To leverage our funds, congregation members, once again, came together to renovate the Community Center ourselves and hired a renovation company for a beautiful re-design of our historic meeting house.
When COVID-19 emerged, we adapted quickly, transforming the way we “do church.” We immediately shifted to zoom worship and were one of the few local churches to create an online choir. We started a “Community Support Fund” to provide financial support for those struggling during the pandemic, and together with town volunteers helped create a network of support for families whose homes had been destroyed by a multiple-condominium fire.
Out of these events emerged the FreeBee Market, a food-gleaning, sharing, and community-building endeavor, which takes place regularly in our church’s outdoor gathering space and continues to be a joyful collaboration between our church and volunteer leaders from Boxborough. As the pandemic eased, we transitioned to hybrid worship and remain committed to this model of worship.
Today, we continue to open our doors widely. We welcome members, friends and visitors from many surrounding towns, and are glad that participants join in our virtual services from Ireland to Africa.
